Introduction to polarization physics. Translated from the Russian by R. Tjapaev. (Q444343)

The authors aims at assembling and presenting in an accessible form, theoretical, experimental as well methodical aspects of polarization physics. The material is organized in a manner similar to a textbook addressed mainly to post-graduated students interested in enlarging their knowledge on physical processes associated with nuclear or elementary particle spin. In writing the book, the authors were motivated by the discontent that previous monographs, treating the same subject, are putting exceeding weight on theoretical aspects and besides that, they show a visible tendency to overlook ``important works on the theoretical and experimental polarization physics done by soviet physicists''. The first part of the book, entitled ``Theoretical Bases of Polarization'' introduces the reader to fundamental physical notions, properties and models related to spin. After reviewing the spin in the framework of Relativistic Quantum Mechanics, an entire chapter discusses spin in strong interactions: pion-nucleus and nucleon-nucleon scattering. The partial wave analysis is discussed and detailed formulas for singlet-triplet matrix elements for pp elastic scattering are provided. The separate or joint action of isotopic invariance and charge conjugation on nucleon spinors is reviewed at the end of the second chapter. Chapter 3 expose the main models proposed to explain polarization in nuclear and particle reactions following a chronological pattern: Fermi model (for polarization of protons in nuclear scattering), chiral based models (for pion-nucleus reactions), Regge model, Quantum Chromodynamics, U-matrix method, Rotating Hadronic Matter model (origin of proton spin), DeGrand-Miettinen model (for polarization asymmetry in the inclusive production of hadrons), Lund model (polarization of the quark sea), Chromomagnetic String model (high single-spin effects in inclusive hadron production at high energies). The first part includes a final chapter, which discusses the deep inelastic scattering of leptons by nucleons with special reference to structure functions. The second part of the book is dedicated to the polarization technology and topics regarding production and acceleration of polarized beams, polarized targets, beam polarimetry are amply discussed. The third part of the book, bearing the title ``Polarization Experiments and their results'', presents the latest results regarding the measurements of the Standard Models parameters , spin structure functions, dependence of Hyperon polarization on energy, transverse momentum transfer, Feynman parameter, as well the asymmetry in inclusive Hadron production.