A study of polarization buildup by spin filtering

Many sets of polarization evolution equations have been suggested to describe the method of polarization buildup by spin filtering in storage rings. In this paper a generic system of polarization evolution equations describing spin filtering is derived and solved, then we compare and contrast this system to other descriptions of spin filtering appearing in the literature. This is of interest to projects planning to produce a polarized antiproton beam by spin filtering, and to any project utilizing spin filtering in storage rings. The physical processes responsible for spin filtering are analysed and their contributions to the dynamics of polarization buildup are highlighted. It is hoped that this will shed light on some of the confusion in the literature.