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arXiv:1607.07310 · Optics Letters

Optically enhanced production of metastable xenon

Garrett Hickman, J. D. Franson, T. B. Pittman

Published Sep 13, 2016• 13 citations
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Abstract

Metastable states of noble gas atoms are typically produced by electrical discharge techniques or “all-optical” excitation methods. Here we combine electrical discharges with optical pumping to demonstrate “optically enhanced” production of metastable xenon (Xe*). We experimentally measure large increases in Xe* density with relatively small optical control field powers. This technique may have applications in systems where large metastable state densities are desirable.

DOI
10.1364/ol.41.004372

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Metastable states of noble gas atoms are typically produced by electrical discharge techniques or “all-optical” excitation methods. Here we combine electrical discharges with optical pumping to demonstrate “optically enhanced” production of metastable xenon (Xe*). We experimentally measure large increases in Xe* density with relatively small optical control field powers. This technique may have applications in systems where large metastable state densities are desirable.
The wide range of applications using metastable noble gas atoms has led to a number of different approaches for producing large metastable state densities. Here we investigate a recently proposed hybrid approach that combines RF discharge techniques with optical pumping from an auxiliary state in xenon. We study the effect of xenon pressure on establishing initial population in both the auxiliary state and metastable state via the RF discharge, and the role of the optical pumping beam power in transferring population between the states. We find experimental conditions that maximize the effects, and provide a robust platform for producing relatively large long-term metastable state densities.
The wide range of applications using metastable noble gas atoms has led to a number of different approaches for producing large metastable state densities. Here we investigate a recently proposed hybrid approach that combines RF discharge techniques with optical pumping from an auxiliary state in xenon. We study the effect of xenon pressure on establishing initial population in both the auxiliary state and metastable state via the RF discharge, and the role of the optical pumping beam power in transferring population between the states. We find experimental conditions that maximize the effects, and provide a robust platform for producing relatively large long-term metastable state densities.
Nobel gases, with their closed electronic shells, require large energy to transfer the atoms from the electronic ground state to the first accessible excited state. For this reason, it is common to use various discharge sources to transfer atoms from the ground state into excited states, in particular into a long-lived metastable state for optical manipulation. There are specific applications, however, that would benefit from optical methods over discharge methods to produce metastable atoms. These include Atom Trap Trace Analysis and velocimetry/wind tunnel experiments, where a discharge source is impractical.
Collisions between rare-gas atoms in the 3 P 2 metastable state and in the ground state were studied. The metastable atoms were created by a discharge and oriented by optical pumping, and pressure broadening of their magnetic-resonance curves was measured. For xenon, mixtures of even and odd isotopes were used, leading to a determination of the cross section for metastability-exchange collisions. For krypton the results are reported for the disorientation of the metastable state in the natural gas. In addition the disorientation cross section has been measured of the krypton metastable state through collisions with helium.
The 3P2^{3}P_{2}3P2​ metastable atoms of neon have been optically oriented. This represents the first case of the optical pumping of non-SSS state atoms. The optical-pumping process is described, and depolarization cross sections for collisions with ground-state neon and ground-state helium atoms measured. The cross section for collisional depolarization with helium is 4.30 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.22 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ cm2{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}cm2, and with neon is 166 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 8 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ cm2{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}cm2 at 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The metastable 3P2^{3}P_{2}3P2​ atoms of Ar and Xe have also been optically pumped. As the polarizability of the noble-gas buffer increases, the collisional depolarization cross section approaches the diffusion cross section.