Effect of radiation trapping on the polarization of an optically pumped alkali-metal vapor
D. Tupa, L. W. Anderson, David L. Huber +1 more
Calculations are presented of the limitations imposed by radiation trapping on the electron spin polarization produced in an alkali-metal vapor by optical pumping in a large magnetic field. It is found that electron spin polarizations of 90% are possible with Na densities up to ${10}^{19}$ atoms/${\mathrm{m}}^{3}$ and ground-level relaxation times of 150 \ensuremath{\mu}s in a large magnetic field using a cylindrical geometry of radius 7.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$ m.
Physical Review A•Feb 1, 1986•51 citations