Covariant Spin Kinetic Theory I: Collisionless Limit

Abstract

We develop a covariant kinetic theory for massive fermions in curved spacetime and external electromagnetic field based on quantum field theory. We derive four coupled semi-classical kinetic equations accurate at $O(\hslash )$, which describe the transports of particle number and spin degrees of freedom. The relation with the chiral kinetic theory is discussed. As an application, we study the spin polarization in the presence of finite Riemann curvature and electromagnetic field in both local and global equilibrium states.

Comments: 12 pages, erratum applied version