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    Universal Spin Control of Leptons and Ions via a Laser-Driven Unipolar Surface Wave

    F. M. Jiang1,2, X. F. Li1,2,*, Y. S. Zeng1,2, Y. F. Bai1,2,†, C. P. Liu1,2, J. X. Li3, Y. Tian1,2,‡, and R. X. Li1,4,§

    • *Contact author: xiaofengli@siom.ac.cn
    • †Contact author: baiyafeng@siom.ac.cn
    • ‡Contact author: tianye@siom.ac.cn
    • §Contact author: ruxinli@siom.ac.cn

    Phys. Rev. Lett. 137, 125001 – Published 15 September, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/cf8g-xbds

    Abstract

    Manipulating the spin of ultrarelativistic charged particle beams is a cornerstone of high-energy physics, yet its practical implementation has been limited by intrinsic energy dependence and a lack of universality across particle species. Here, we introduce the concept of a “unipolar surface wave spin rotator” that overcomes these barriers. In this scheme, a laser-driven, unipolar surface wave generates an extreme traveling electromagnetic impulse which imparts a unidirectional spin kick to a counterpropagating charged particle beam without requiring phase matching. We theoretically show that spin rotation from transverse to longitudinal polarization achieves ∼100% efficiency within 25 mm for both leptons and ions, and across an energy range from GeV to TeV while preserving beam quality. This approach establishes a new paradigm for universal spin manipulator in future particle accelerators.

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