The $^{3}P_{2}$ metastable atoms of neon have been optically oriented. This represents the first case of the optical pumping of non- $S$ 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{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ , and with neon is 166 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 8 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The metastable $^{3}P_{2}$ 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.The $^{3}P_{2}$ metastable atoms of neon have been optically oriented. This represents the first case of the optical pumping of non-$S$ 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{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, and with neon is 166 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 8 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The metastable $^{3}P_{2}$ 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.

Physical ReviewApr 5, 196926 citations

The

^{3}P_{2}

metastable atoms of neon have been optically oriented. This represents the first case of the optical pumping of non-

S

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{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$

{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}

, and with neon is 166 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 8 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$

{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}

at 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The metastable

^{3}P_{2}

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.