Spin-orbit coupling and the up-down differential transverse flow in intermediate-energy heavy-ion collisions

To explore the strength, isospin dependence, and density dependence of the in-medium spin-orbit coupling that is poorly known but relevant for understanding the structure of rare isotopes, the nucleon spin up-down differential transverse flow is studied systematically by varying the beam energy and impact parameter of Au+Au collisions within a spin-isospin dependent transport model recently developed for investigating spin-related phenomena in intermediate-energy heavy-ion collisions. The optimal reaction conditions for delineating and disentangling effects of different terms in the spin-orbit coupling are discussed.