We describe a cesium atomic beam ( ${10}^{14}$ atoms ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, 6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{16}$ atoms ${\mathrm{sr}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$) spin polarized using light from two diode lasers. Of the atoms, 95% may be placed into either the 6 ${\mathit{S}}_{1/2}$ (F, ${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{F}}$ )=(3,3) or (4,4) state, with less than 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ of the atoms left in the depleted hyperfine level. The latter fraction rises linearly with atomic beam intensity because of reabsorption of light scattered during the optical pumping process. This and other effects limiting complete hyperfine pumping are discussed.We describe a cesium atomic beam (${10}^{14}$ atoms ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, 6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{16}$ atoms ${\mathrm{sr}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$) spin polarized using light from two diode lasers. Of the atoms, 95% may be placed into either the 6${\mathit{S}}_{1/2}$(F,${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{F}}$)=(3,3) or (4,4) state, with less than 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ of the atoms left in the depleted hyperfine level. The latter fraction rises linearly with atomic beam intensity because of reabsorption of light scattered during the optical pumping process. This and other effects limiting complete hyperfine pumping are discussed.

Physical Review AMar 1, 199328 citations

THE PRODUCTION OF A HIGHLY POLARIZED ATOMIC CESIUM BEAM

Richard N. Watts, Carl Wieman

WORLD SCIENTIFIC eBooksJan 1, 20080 citations

Optical spin polarization and state-sensitive detection of a cesium atomic beam

Bernardo Jaduszliwer, Yat C. Chan

A cesium atomic beam having a high degree of polarization is prepared by optical pumping with two circularly polarized diode lasers, and a technique for state-sensitive atomic detection involving laser-induced fluorescence in a magnetic field (LIFB) is introduced. An atomic-beam polarization of 93% is measured using the LIFB technique, and the combined use of optical-state preparation and LIFB detection in an atomic-recoil experiment to study spin-changing electron-atom collisions is demonstrated.A cesium atomic beam having a high degree of polarization is prepared by optical pumping with two circularly polarized diode lasers, and a technique for state-sensitive atomic detection involving laser-induced fluorescence in a magnetic field (LIFB) is introduced. An atomic-beam polarization of 93% is measured using the LIFB technique, and the combined use of optical-state preparation and LIFB detection in an atomic-recoil experiment to study spin-changing electron-atom collisions is demonstrated.

Physical Review ASep 1, 19931 citation

We describe a cesium atomic beam (

{10}^{14}

atoms ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, 6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}

{10}^{16}

atoms ${\mathrm{sr}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$) spin polarized using light from two diode lasers. Of the atoms, 95% may be placed into either the 6

{\mathit{S}}_{1/2}

(F,

{\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{F}}

)=(3,3) or (4,4) state, with less than 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ of the atoms left in the depleted hyperfine level. The latter fraction rises linearly with atomic beam intensity because of reabsorption of light scattered during the optical pumping process. This and other effects limiting complete hyperfine pumping are discussed.