Sodium atoms have been oriented by means of circularly polarized resonance radiation. The amount of orientation agrees with that calculated from the intensity of the light source used. The polarization of the light scattered from the sodium sample varies in the expected manner when the light intensity and applied magnetic field are varied. Illumination with unpolarized resonance radiation is shown to result in alignment of the sodium atoms. The largest degree of orientation achieved corresponds to an average value for the nuclear, electronic, and total angular momenta of ${\overline{M}}_{I}=0.180=0.120I$ , ${\overline{M}}_{S}=0.035=0.070S$ , ${\overline{M}}_{F}=0.216=0.108F$ , respectively.Sodium atoms have been oriented by means of circularly polarized resonance radiation. The amount of orientation agrees with that calculated from the intensity of the light source used. The polarization of the light scattered from the sodium sample varies in the expected manner when the light intensity and applied magnetic field are varied. Illumination with unpolarized resonance radiation is shown to result in alignment of the sodium atoms. The largest degree of orientation achieved corresponds to an average value for the nuclear, electronic, and total angular momenta of ${\overline{M}}_{I}=0.180=0.120I$, ${\overline{M}}_{S}=0.035=0.070S$, ${\overline{M}}_{F}=0.216=0.108F$, respectively.

Physical ReviewApr 15, 195569 citations

The Polarization of Sodium Atoms

W. Bruce Hawkins, Robert Henry Dicke

Physical ReviewAug 15, 195352 citations

Preparation of atomic sodium as a two-level atom

Joseph A. Abate

Optics CommunicationsMar 1, 197446 citations

Relaxation of the sodium atom in the 4D level by collisions with noble gases. I. Experimental aspects

F. Biraben, K. Béroff, G. Grynberg +1 more

The sodium atom is excited selectively in the 4D3/2 or 4D 5/2 level using Doppler-free two-photon absorption. We analyse the fluorescence in intensity and polarization in presence of noble gas atoms. We measure the cross-sections corresponding to the transfer of population between 4D3/2 and 4D5/2 and between 4D and 4F, the relaxation of alignment in both fine sublevels and the transfer of alignment. In particular, we have observed a transfer of alignment in the case of helium and neon perturbers.The sodium atom is excited selectively in the 4D3/2 or 4D 5/2 level using Doppler-free two-photon absorption. We analyse the fluorescence in intensity and polarization in presence of noble gas atoms. We measure the cross-sections corresponding to the transfer of population between 4D3/2 and 4D5/2 and between 4D and 4F, the relaxation of alignment in both fine sublevels and the transfer of alignment. In particular, we have observed a transfer of alignment in the case of helium and neon perturbers.

Journal de physiqueJan 1, 197916 citations

Transfer of atomic alignment in alkali systems

Brian Patton, O. Neitzke, Simon Rochester +6 more

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyJun 7, 20120 citations

Formation of an alignment in collisions of laser excited sodium with xenon atoms

M. Elbel, Harry H�hnermann, Th. Meier +1 more

The European Physical Journal ADec 1, 197520 citations

{\overline{M}}_{I}=0.180=0.120I

{\overline{M}}_{S}=0.035=0.070S

{\overline{M}}_{F}=0.216=0.108F

, respectively.