Using the expansion of Zubarev's density operator, we develop a linear response approach to study various spin physics in a locally equilibrated medium, particularly focusing on various polarization phenomena in heavy-ion collisions. Specifically, we connect familiar correlation functions and diagrammatic methods to the Zubarev formalism, enabling the use of established techniques like the Matsubara–imaginary time formalism to facilitate calculations. For a spin-1/2 particle, we rederive its vector polarization using this Zubarev response approach, which exactly reproduces with our previous results based on Luttinger's method. For a spin-1 particle, we calculate the vector polarization and find the expected contributions from vorticity, temperature gradients, and shear, which are identical to those for spin-1/2 particles except for a factor of 4/3 as expected. For the tensor polarization and spin alignment of a spin-1 boson, we explicitly prove that the nondissipative contribution is zero at leading order in gradients and briefly reiterate our previous findings for the dissipative contribution with further discussions on several concerns. Additionally, we discuss several relevant subtleties and questions, including an alternative derivation for Zubarev response approach, the covariance issues of different spin density matrix definitions, a further explanation of slow and fast modes, the mode selection scheme, and so on. We also discuss skeleton expansions, higher-order contributions, and nonperturbative methods, particularly their potential connection to lattice field theory. In summary, this work discusses the foundations and subtleties of Zubarev response approach, with specific examples from spin physics in heavy-ion collisions.

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• Quark-gluon plasma
• Relativistic heavy-ion collisions
• Thermal & statistical models
• Spin
• Many-body techniques