Electron Spin Polarization by Low-Energy Scattering from Unpolarized Targets

The status of theory and experiment of electron polarization resulting from spin-orbit interaction in low-energy scattering from unpolarized targets is reviewed. Polarization effects in scattering from free atoms, molecules, and solid targets at energies between a few electron volts and a few thousand electron volts are discussed. Apart from a survey of the problems which have been solved, a perspective is given of the work which would be interesting to pursue in this rapidly developing field of research.