Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review A

Measurement of spin-exchange and relaxation parameters for polarizing Ne21 with K and Rb

Rajat K. Ghosh, Michael V. Romalis

Published Apr 26, 2010• 77 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Hyperpolarized K-$^{3}\mathrm{He}$ comagnetometers have been used for tests of fundamental physics and inertial rotation sensing. These experiments will demonstrate increased sensitivity if the $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ buffer gas is replaced with $^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$. We measure the parameters necessary to realize implementation of an alkali-metal--$^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$ comagnetometer for two promising alkali-metal species, Rb and K. The spin-exchange rate constant for K with $^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$ and Rb with $^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$ are measured using two different methods. We also make the first measurement of the K-$^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$ contact spin interaction. Measurements for the Rb-$^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$ contact spin interaction, as well as the spin-destruction coefficients for $^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$ with both alkali-metal species are consistent with previous measurements. Additionally the quadrupolar spin-relaxation rate of $^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$ is measured. Finally, the feasibility of utilizing polarized $^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$ for operation in a comagnetometer is discussed.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.81.043415

Related papers

Critical Dynamics of Strongly Interacting Ensembles in Spin-Exchange-Relaxation-Free Comagnetometers

Zitong Xu, Kai Wei, Xing Heng +2 more

Spin manipulation and detection of alkali-metal and noble-gas ensembles in spin-exchange-relaxation-free (SERF) comagnetometers are widely used in fundamental physical research, and have potential for inertial navigation. The dynamic behavior of spin ensembles is a vital characteristic that determines the applicability of comagnetometers, which significantly differs from various combinations of alkali-metal and noble-gas species. We comprehensively study the critical dynamics of strongly interacting ensembles in SERF comagnetometers with different species combinations. Different from the self-compensation point, a model of strong coupling point at which the dynamics is nonlinear because two ensembles influence each other strongly is established. We verify it by comparing the transient and steady-state dynamics of K-Rb-${}^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$, K-Rb-${}^{3}\mathrm{He}$, and K-${}^{3}\mathrm{He}$ comagnetometers with various input signals. The K-Rb-${}^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$ comagnetometer has a better potential for bandwidth and sensitivity in inertial measurement. Besides, we propose a critical point where the response rate of coupling spin ensembles is optimal among all polarization, and the critical dynamics is verified experimentally to be in agreement with theoretical simulations. The damping rate and precession frequency at the critical point can be more than 5 times larger than that at typical optimal spin polarization. Enhancement of spin-ensemble coupling strength improves the response rate of SERF comagnetometers and paves the way for efficient manipulation of noble-gas atoms via alkali-metal atoms in quantum information.

Physical Review Applied•Oct 20, 2022•14 citations

Measurement of spin-exchange rate constants between Xe129 and alkali metals

Wenjin Shao, Guodong Wang, E. W. Hughes

By measuring the relaxation rates of the nuclear spin polarization of $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$ in the presence of alkali-metal vapor at different densities, we have extracted the spin-exchange rates between $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$ and the three alkali metals K, Rb, and Cs. By studying the alkali-metal--$^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$ spin-exchange rates as functions of the cell number density from 0.2 to 0.7 amagat, the binary collision and van der Waals molecular terms are separated, and constants governing both mechanisms are determined. The results from our work can be used to optimize the parameter space for polarizing $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$, a promising agent for magnetic resonance imaging and other applications.

Physical Review A•Aug 17, 2005•25 citations

Examination of Spin-Exchange Relaxation in the Alkali Metal-Noble Gas Comagnetometer With a Large Electron Magnetic Field

Liwei Jiang, Lihong Duan, Jiali Liu +3 more

Alkali metal-noble gas comagnetometers operated in the regime of spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) have been widely used in fundamental physics tests and rotation sensing as gyroscope. Spin-exchange relaxation is an important systematic bias of the comagnetometer, which could limit sensitivity significantly. However, the suppression effect of the spin-exchange relaxation has not been examined quantitatively so far. Herein, we systematically investigate the relaxation of the alkali metal atoms and find that the spin-exchange relaxation is not completely eliminated under the normal operating condition of the K-Rb-21Ne comagnetometer. In addition to the optical pumping rate, the spin-exchange relaxation still plays a dominant role in the broadening of electron Zeeman resonances due to the large electron magnetic field. This is the first demonstration that the alkali metal atoms are operated in the near-SERF regime in the alkali metal-noble gas comagnetometer with a large election magnetic field, which will shed light on the way to reduce the relaxation of the alkali metal atoms and enhance the sensitivity of the comagnetometer.

IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement•Oct 26, 2020•18 citations

Accurate Polarimetry of Hybrid K-Rb and 21 Ne Atoms Based on Spin-Exchange Interactions

Kai Wei, Tian Zhao, Xiujie Fang +3 more

Hybrid spin-exchange optical pumping is widely used in precision measurements and tests of fundamental physics. In these researches and applications, accurate measurement of the spin polarizations of hybrid alkali atoms and noble gas atoms has a significant role. Here we propose a novel method of measuring the spin polarizations of hybrid K-Rb and21Ne atoms simultaneously. We study the mixture of the slowing-down factors of hybrid alkali atoms due to spin-exchange interactions between hybrid alkali atoms, and the resonance-frequency shift of alkali atoms due to spin-exchange interactions with noble-gas atoms. We investigate the relationship between the hybrid resonance frequency and the polarizations. The spin polarizations of alkali atoms and noble-gas atoms have been measured based on this method, which is from 0.082 to 0.756 and from 0.018 to 0.124 with uncertainties smaller than 10.4 % and 12.7 % respectively. This method is promising for the applications requiring simultaneous and real-time measurement of the polarizations of alkali and noble-gas atoms, such as inertial sensors and tests of fundamental physics.

IEEE Sensors Journal•Dec 2, 2020•32 citations

Ultrasensitive Atomic Comagnetometer with Enhanced Nuclear Spin Coherence

Kai Wei, Tian Zhao, Xiujie Fang +8 more

Achieving high energy resolution in spin systems is important for fundamental physics research and precision measurements, with alkali-noble-gas comagnetometers being among the best available sensors. We found a new relaxation mechanism in such devices, the gradient of the Fermi-contact-interaction field that dominates the relaxation of hyperpolarized nuclear spins. We report on precise control over spin distribution, demonstrating a tenfold increase of nuclear spin hyperpolarization and transverse coherence time with optimal hybrid optical pumping. Operating in the self-compensation regime, our $^{21}\mathrm{Ne}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Rb}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{K}$ comagnetometer achieves an ultrahigh inertial rotation sensitivity of $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{rad}/\mathrm{s}/{\mathrm{Hz}}^{1/2}$ in the frequency range from 0.2 to 1.0 Hz, which is equivalent to the energy resolution of $3.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}23}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{eV}/\mathrm{Hz}}^{1/2}$. We propose to use this comagnetometer to search for exotic spin-dependent interactions involving proton and neutron spins. The projected sensitivity surpasses the previous experimental and astrophysical limits by more than 4 orders of magnitude.

arXiv:2210.09027•Physical Review Letters•Feb 10, 2023•118 citations

Broadening of magnetic linewidth by spin-exchange interaction in the K-Rb-21Ne comagnetometer

Kai Wei, Tian Zhao, Xiujie Fang +4 more

The elimination of relaxation resulting from spin-exchange (SE) interaction is crucial for ultrasensitive atomic comagnetometers. In this study, we demonstrate the SE relaxation is only partially suppressed and significantly broadens the magnetic linewidth in the K-Rb-21Ne comagnetometer. The SE relaxation arises from the compensation magnetic field when operating in the self-compensation regime. We propose a new method to measure the SE relaxation in the self-compensation regime where the alkali-metal and noble-gas spin ensembles are coupled. In the presence of SE relaxation, we find the optimal alkali-metal polarization for maximizing the sensitivity is shifted from the typical value. Under various conditions, we present a detailed study of the SE relaxation and the scale factor as a function of alkali-metal polarization, which are further verified by the theoretical models. The reduction of SE relaxation and improvement of scale factor by using 87Rb atoms is also studied.

Optics Express•Oct 8, 2020•11 citations
Hyperpolarized K-3He^{3}\mathrm{He}3He comagnetometers have been used for tests of fundamental physics and inertial rotation sensing. These experiments will demonstrate increased sensitivity if the 3He^{3}\mathrm{He}3He buffer gas is replaced with 21Ne^{21}\mathrm{Ne}21Ne. We measure the parameters necessary to realize implementation of an alkali-metal--21Ne^{21}\mathrm{Ne}21Ne comagnetometer for two promising alkali-metal species, Rb and K. The spin-exchange rate constant for K with 21Ne^{21}\mathrm{Ne}21Ne and Rb with 21Ne^{21}\mathrm{Ne}21Ne are measured using two different methods. We also make the first measurement of the K-21Ne^{21}\mathrm{Ne}21Ne contact spin interaction. Measurements for the Rb-21Ne^{21}\mathrm{Ne}21Ne contact spin interaction, as well as the spin-destruction coefficients for 21Ne^{21}\mathrm{Ne}21Ne with both alkali-metal species are consistent with previous measurements. Additionally the quadrupolar spin-relaxation rate of 21Ne^{21}\mathrm{Ne}21Ne is measured. Finally, the feasibility of utilizing polarized 21Ne^{21}\mathrm{Ne}21Ne for operation in a comagnetometer is discussed.
Spin manipulation and detection of alkali-metal and noble-gas ensembles in spin-exchange-relaxation-free (SERF) comagnetometers are widely used in fundamental physical research, and have potential for inertial navigation. The dynamic behavior of spin ensembles is a vital characteristic that determines the applicability of comagnetometers, which significantly differs from various combinations of alkali-metal and noble-gas species. We comprehensively study the critical dynamics of strongly interacting ensembles in SERF comagnetometers with different species combinations. Different from the self-compensation point, a model of strong coupling point at which the dynamics is nonlinear because two ensembles influence each other strongly is established. We verify it by comparing the transient and steady-state dynamics of K-Rb-21Ne{}^{21}\mathrm{Ne}21Ne, K-Rb-3He{}^{3}\mathrm{He}3He, and K-3He{}^{3}\mathrm{He}3He comagnetometers with various input signals. The K-Rb-21Ne{}^{21}\mathrm{Ne}21Ne comagnetometer has a better potential for bandwidth and sensitivity in inertial measurement. Besides, we propose a critical point where the response rate of coupling spin ensembles is optimal among all polarization, and the critical dynamics is verified experimentally to be in agreement with theoretical simulations. The damping rate and precession frequency at the critical point can be more than 5 times larger than that at typical optimal spin polarization. Enhancement of spin-ensemble coupling strength improves the response rate of SERF comagnetometers and paves the way for efficient manipulation of noble-gas atoms via alkali-metal atoms in quantum information.
By measuring the relaxation rates of the nuclear spin polarization of 129Xe^{129}\mathrm{Xe}129Xe in the presence of alkali-metal vapor at different densities, we have extracted the spin-exchange rates between 129Xe^{129}\mathrm{Xe}129Xe and the three alkali metals K, Rb, and Cs. By studying the alkali-metal--129Xe^{129}\mathrm{Xe}129Xe spin-exchange rates as functions of the cell number density from 0.2 to 0.7 amagat, the binary collision and van der Waals molecular terms are separated, and constants governing both mechanisms are determined. The results from our work can be used to optimize the parameter space for polarizing 129Xe^{129}\mathrm{Xe}129Xe, a promising agent for magnetic resonance imaging and other applications.
Alkali metal-noble gas comagnetometers operated in the regime of spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) have been widely used in fundamental physics tests and rotation sensing as gyroscope. Spin-exchange relaxation is an important systematic bias of the comagnetometer, which could limit sensitivity significantly. However, the suppression effect of the spin-exchange relaxation has not been examined quantitatively so far. Herein, we systematically investigate the relaxation of the alkali metal atoms and find that the spin-exchange relaxation is not completely eliminated under the normal operating condition of the K-Rb-21Ne comagnetometer. In addition to the optical pumping rate, the spin-exchange relaxation still plays a dominant role in the broadening of electron Zeeman resonances due to the large electron magnetic field. This is the first demonstration that the alkali metal atoms are operated in the near-SERF regime in the alkali metal-noble gas comagnetometer with a large election magnetic field, which will shed light on the way to reduce the relaxation of the alkali metal atoms and enhance the sensitivity of the comagnetometer.
Hybrid spin-exchange optical pumping is widely used in precision measurements and tests of fundamental physics. In these researches and applications, accurate measurement of the spin polarizations of hybrid alkali atoms and noble gas atoms has a significant role. Here we propose a novel method of measuring the spin polarizations of hybrid K-Rb and21Ne atoms simultaneously. We study the mixture of the slowing-down factors of hybrid alkali atoms due to spin-exchange interactions between hybrid alkali atoms, and the resonance-frequency shift of alkali atoms due to spin-exchange interactions with noble-gas atoms. We investigate the relationship between the hybrid resonance frequency and the polarizations. The spin polarizations of alkali atoms and noble-gas atoms have been measured based on this method, which is from 0.082 to 0.756 and from 0.018 to 0.124 with uncertainties smaller than 10.4 % and 12.7 % respectively. This method is promising for the applications requiring simultaneous and real-time measurement of the polarizations of alkali and noble-gas atoms, such as inertial sensors and tests of fundamental physics.
Achieving high energy resolution in spin systems is important for fundamental physics research and precision measurements, with alkali-noble-gas comagnetometers being among the best available sensors. We found a new relaxation mechanism in such devices, the gradient of the Fermi-contact-interaction field that dominates the relaxation of hyperpolarized nuclear spins. We report on precise control over spin distribution, demonstrating a tenfold increase of nuclear spin hyperpolarization and transverse coherence time with optimal hybrid optical pumping. Operating in the self-compensation regime, our $^{21}\mathrm{Ne}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Rb}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{K}$ comagnetometer achieves an ultrahigh inertial rotation sensitivity of $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{rad}/\mathrm{s}/{\mathrm{Hz}}^{1/2}$ in the frequency range from 0.2 to 1.0 Hz, which is equivalent to the energy resolution of $3.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}23}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{eV}/\mathrm{Hz}}^{1/2}$. We propose to use this comagnetometer to search for exotic spin-dependent interactions involving proton and neutron spins. The projected sensitivity surpasses the previous experimental and astrophysical limits by more than 4 orders of magnitude.
The elimination of relaxation resulting from spin-exchange (SE) interaction is crucial for ultrasensitive atomic comagnetometers. In this study, we demonstrate the SE relaxation is only partially suppressed and significantly broadens the magnetic linewidth in the K-Rb-21Ne comagnetometer. The SE relaxation arises from the compensation magnetic field when operating in the self-compensation regime. We propose a new method to measure the SE relaxation in the self-compensation regime where the alkali-metal and noble-gas spin ensembles are coupled. In the presence of SE relaxation, we find the optimal alkali-metal polarization for maximizing the sensitivity is shifted from the typical value. Under various conditions, we present a detailed study of the SE relaxation and the scale factor as a function of alkali-metal polarization, which are further verified by the theoretical models. The reduction of SE relaxation and improvement of scale factor by using 87Rb atoms is also studied.