Spin and polarization: a new direction in relativistic heavy ion physics

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in relativistic heavy ion physics focusing on spin and polarization phenomena, highlighting new experimental insights, theoretical understanding, and potential future directions in the field.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of the current state of spin and polarization research in relativistic heavy ion collisions, connecting experimental results with theoretical developments and fundamental questions.

Findings

Recent evidence of hyperon polarization in nuclear collisions

Theoretical models explaining spin polarization phenomena

Potential links between relativistic spin physics and quantum field theory

Abstract

Since the first evidence of a global polarization of $\Lambda$ hyperons in relativistic nuclear collisions in 2017, spin has opened a new window in the field, both at experimental and theoretical level, and an exciting perspective. The current state of the field is reviewed with regard to the theoretical understanding of the data, reporting on the most recent achievements and envisioning possible developments. The intriguing connections of spin physics in relativistic matter with fundamental questions in quantum field theory and applications in the non-relativistic domain are discussed.