Tensor-polarization decoherence in storage rings

Determine the decoherence behavior of tensor polarization in storage rings under continuous radiofrequency-driven spin flips, including the effects of synchrotron oscillations and beam phase-space spread.

Background

The paper develops an analytic treatment of tensor-polarization evolution and synchrotron-oscillation-driven decoherence for stored deuterons. Although vector-polarization decoherence from betatron and synchrotron effects had been studied previously, the authors identify the corresponding behavior of tensor polarization in storage rings as unresolved. This problem is central to assessing whether time-dependent tensor observables can be measured with the precision and duration required at facilities such as Nuclotron/NICA and HIAF.

References

A decoherence of the tensor polarization in storage rings remains an as yet open issue.

— Fresh Look at Polarized Deuterons at the Nuclotron/NICA \& HIAF and Beyond  (2608.20945 - Gou et al., 21 Aug 2026) in Section I, Introduction, p. 2

Of course, whether the above optimistic theoretical estimates are viable or not, is a matter of the experimental scrutiny.

— Fresh Look at Polarized Deuterons at the Nuclotron/NICA \& HIAF and Beyond  (2608.20945 - Gou et al., 21 Aug 2026) in Section VII, p. 7