A study of polarization buildup by spin filtering

TL;DR

This paper derives and solves a comprehensive set of polarization evolution equations for spin filtering in storage rings, clarifying the physical processes involved and addressing inconsistencies in existing literature.

Contribution

It introduces a generic polarization evolution model for spin filtering, compares it with previous models, and analyzes the physical mechanisms, aiding future polarized beam projects.

Findings

Derived a generic polarization evolution system

Compared this system with existing models

Clarified physical contributions to polarization buildup

Abstract

Many sets of polarization evolution equations have been suggested to describe the method of polarization buildup by spin filtering in storage rings. In this paper a generic system of polarization evolution equations describing spin filtering is derived and solved, then we compare and contrast this system to other descriptions of spin filtering appearing in the literature. This is of interest to projects planning to produce a polarized antiproton beam by spin filtering, and to any project utilizing spin filtering in storage rings. The physical processes responsible for spin filtering are analysed and their contributions to the dynamics of polarization buildup are highlighted. It is hoped that this will shed light on some of the confusion in the literature.