Work

Covariant Wigner function and spin polarization of the Rarita-Schwinger field

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: We study the covariant Wigner function for the spin-$3/2$ Rarita-Schwinger field and its relation to the spin density matrix and the mean spin polarization vector. We obtain a formula relating the covariant Wigner function to the mean spin vector for a weakly interacting field. We then calculate the mean spin vector induced by thermal vorticity, thermal shear, and spin potential at local thermal equilibrium in the Belinfante, canonical and GLW pseudo-gauges. The resulting formula can be used to predict the spin polarization of spin-$3/2$ hadrons, such as the $Ω^-$, in heavy-ion collisions. Differences in the thermal-shear induced polarization in the canonical and Belinfante pseudo-gauges make it possible to use local spin polarization measurements of the $Ω^-$ to discriminate between the two pseudo-gauges.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2610.37382

Authors: Buzzegoli, Matteo, Gecic, Aleksandar, Singh, Rajeev

Institutions: Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, West University of Timişoara, Goethe University Frankfurt

Language: English

Topic: High-Energy Particle Collisions Research

Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung

OpenAlex ID: W7224081333

Cites:

Cited by:

Related to: 10