Spin Dependence of Diffractive Vector Meson Production

I review the recent progress in the theory of s-channel helicity nonconservation (SCHNC) effects in diffractive DIS. SCHNC in diffractive vector meson production is an unique probe of the spin-orbit coupling and Fermi motion of quarks in vector mesons. Photo- and electroproduction of the $\phi$ and its radial and angular excitations at Jlab is perfectly posed to probe SCHNC in QCD pomeron exchange. I also discuss the unitarity driven demise of the Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule and large & scaling departure from the Wandzura-Wilczek relation.