Spin observables for inelastic proton nucleus scattering are calculated in plane-wave impulse approximation both nonrelativistically and using the Dirac equation. The relativistic treatment yields nonzero spin difference functions that vanish in the nonrelativistic case. We identify the origin of this important contribution of the relativistic treatment, and stress its universal character. We treat 500 MeV proton scattering from ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$ as an example.

• Received 4 February 1985

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.32.949