Global polarization effect and spin-orbit coupling in strong interaction

Abstract

In non-central high energy heavy ion collisions the colliding system posses a huge orbital angular momentum in the direction opposite to the normal of the reaction plane. Due to the spin-orbit coupling in strong interaction, such huge orbital angular momentum leads to the polarization of quarks and anti-quarks in the same direction. This effect, known as the global polarization effect, has been recently observed by STAR Collaboration at RHIC that confirms the theoretical prediction made more than ten years ago. The discovery has attracted much attention on the study of spin effects in heavy ion collision. It opens a new window to study properties of QGP and a new direction in high energy heavy ion physics -- Spin Physics in Heavy Ion Collisions. In this chapter, we review the original ideas and calculations that lead to the predictions. We emphasize the role played by spin-orbit coupling in high energy spin physics and discuss the new opportunities and challenges in this connection.