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Physical Review A

Spin transitions in time-dependent magnetic fields

Frank Garisto, B. C. Sanctuary

Published Mar 1, 1981• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Nonadiabatic transitions in state-selection experiments on beams of metastable hydrogen atoms ($2{S}_{\frac{1}{2}}$) display oscillations in the population of the $F=1$, $m=\ensuremath{-}1$ state R. D. Hight and R. T. Robiscoe, [Phys. Rev. A 17, 561 (1978)]. In this paper, theoretical calculations using exact and model solenoid fields averaged over a velocity distribution show that the population oscillations arise from the presence of at least two nonadiabatic regions in the solenoid. No oscillations occur theoretically if only a single nonadiabatic region exists, unless the unlikely assumption of a coherent hydrogen-atom beam is invoked.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.23.1234

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Results from a novel variation on the Stern–Gerlach method for magnetic separation are presented. A superconducting solenoid lens for spin selection and focusing of a cold atomic hydrogen beam has been built and tested at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The solenoid consists of three coils connected in series, with the current in the outer two coils counter to the current in the middle coil, resulting in a large magnetic field (up to 5.2 T) with strong gradients. Beam density enhancement (focusing) of up to a factor of 10 was achieved. Excellent qualitative agreement exists with ray-tracing calculations. Quantitatively, the experimental results show a lens performance which is a factor of at least 3 better than what these calculations predict.

Review of Scientific Instruments•Sep 1, 1990•2 citations
Nonadiabatic transitions in state-selection experiments on beams of metastable hydrogen atoms (2S122{S}_{\frac{1}{2}}2S21​​) display oscillations in the population of the F=1F=1F=1, m=\ensuremath−1m=\ensuremath{-}1m=\ensuremath−1 state R. D. Hight and R. T. Robiscoe, [Phys. Rev. A 17, 561 (1978)]. In this paper, theoretical calculations using exact and model solenoid fields averaged over a velocity distribution show that the population oscillations arise from the presence of at least two nonadiabatic regions in the solenoid. No oscillations occur theoretically if only a single nonadiabatic region exists, unless the unlikely assumption of a coherent hydrogen-atom beam is invoked.
We present an experiment studying the nonadiabatic passage of the F=1F=1F=1 hyperfine component of the 22S122^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}22S21​​ metastable state of atomic hydrogen through a reversing solenoidal magnetic field. The nonadiabatic region is compared to the model field of Hight, Robiscoe, and Thorson. The measured transition amplitudes are fitted by the calculated amplitudes and the results are discussed.
Model calculations are presented for nonadiabatic passage of an oriented spin through a reversing solenoidal magnetic field; these are useful for comparison with experiments described elsewhere. The model corresponds closely to the well-known Landau-Zener-Stueckelberg model of a two-state curve crossing in molecular collision theory; various modifications appropriate to the Majorana problem are considered. The resulting transition amplitudes are discussed for the F=1F=1F=1 hyperfine component of the 22S122^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}22S21​​ metastable state of atomic hydrogen as an example.
The stationary states of an atom in a combined static and rotating magnetic field have been investigated by using two frequency transitions in an atomic-beam machine. Very accurate measurements of a strong rf magnetic field may be made by inducing transitions between the stationary states with a small "tickling" rf field. The relaxation of the selection rules associated with the zzz component of angular momentum makes normally forbidden hyperfine transitions visible.
Results from a novel variation on the Stern–Gerlach method for magnetic separation are presented. A superconducting solenoid lens for spin selection and focusing of a cold atomic hydrogen beam has been built and tested at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The solenoid consists of three coils connected in series, with the current in the outer two coils counter to the current in the middle coil, resulting in a large magnetic field (up to 5.2 T) with strong gradients. Beam density enhancement (focusing) of up to a factor of 10 was achieved. Excellent qualitative agreement exists with ray-tracing calculations. Quantitatively, the experimental results show a lens performance which is a factor of at least 3 better than what these calculations predict.