General dynamics of tensor polarization of particles and nuclei in external fields

TL;DR

This paper derives a general equation describing the time evolution of tensor polarization in particles and nuclei under external fields, highlighting its behavior in rotating frames and for axially symmetric initial conditions.

Contribution

It provides a new, general equation for tensor polarization dynamics and explicit solutions for axially symmetric initial states.

Findings

Tensor polarization remains constant in a rotating frame.

Explicit dynamics are derived for axially symmetric initial polarization.

The general equation applies to particles and nuclei in external fields.

Abstract

The tensor polarization of particles and nuclei becomes constant in the coordinate system rotating with the same angular velocity as the spin and rotates in the lab frame with the above angular velocity. The general equation defining the time dependence of the tensor polarization is derived. An explicit form of dynamics of this polarization is found in the case when the initial polarization is axially symmetric.