Thermal Spin Polarization Driven by Nuclear Spin-Orbit Coupling in Neutron Star Pasta

Abstract

We discuss anomalous spin polarization on the surface of nuclear pasta in a neutron star, driven by a nuclear spin-orbit interaction. We present an effective two-band model of surface-localized neutrons near the nuclear pasta. The central point is the emergence of a Rashba-type spin-orbit hybridization generated by the neutron--nucleus spin-orbit force in the presence of the strong density gradient normal to the pasta surface. Starting from a single-particle Hamiltonian with a central potential and a standard nuclear spin-orbit interaction, we show that the surface spin polarization occurs due to the thermal inhomogeneity even in the absence of a magnetic field. Our study links neutron-star physics and solid-state spintronics and would contribute to understanding the interplay between spin dynamics and strong magnetic fields.