We present a joint experimental and theoretical study of spin depolarization in collisions of alkali-metal atoms with $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ in a magnetic field. A rigorous quantum theory for spin-changing transitions is developed and applied to calculate the spin exchange and spin relaxation rates of Li and K atoms in cryogenic $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ gas. Magnetic trapping experiments provide upper bounds to the spin exchange rates for $\mathrm{Li}\text{\ensuremath{-}}^{3}\mathrm{He}$ and $\mathrm{K}\text{\ensuremath{-}}^{3}\mathrm{He}$, which are in agreement with the present theory. Our calculations demonstrate that the alkali-metal atoms have extremely slow spin depolarization rates, suggesting a number of potential applications in precision spectroscopy and quantum optics.We present a joint experimental and theoretical study of spin depolarization in collisions of alkali-metal atoms with $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ in a magnetic field. A rigorous quantum theory for spin-changing transitions is developed and applied to calculate the spin exchange and spin relaxation rates of Li and K atoms in cryogenic $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ gas. Magnetic trapping experiments provide upper bounds to the spin exchange rates for $\mathrm{Li}\text{\ensuremath{-}}^{3}\mathrm{He}$ and $\mathrm{K}\text{\ensuremath{-}}^{3}\mathrm{He}$, which are in agreement with the present theory. Our calculations demonstrate that the alkali-metal atoms have extremely slow spin depolarization rates, suggesting a number of potential applications in precision spectroscopy and quantum optics.

Physical Review ADec 31, 200816 citations

INELASTIC COLLISIONS OF SLOW ATOMS

Борис М. Смирнов

Oct 1, 19640 citations

Inversion-symmetry-changing atom-atom collisions

Marvin H. Mittleman

Slow collisions of different isotopes of the same species are considered. The adiabatic representation of wave functions is used. There is no restriction to inversion-symmetry-conserving collisions because of the isotopic difference. Such parity-changing collisions are considered and, since levels of different parity can cross, it is shown that the cross sections may be large. The "switching functions," previously used, are shown to play an important role in this reaction and their interpretation is discussed.Slow collisions of different isotopes of the same species are considered. The adiabatic representation of wave functions is used. There is no restriction to inversion-symmetry-conserving collisions because of the isotopic difference. Such parity-changing collisions are considered and, since levels of different parity can cross, it is shown that the cross sections may be large. The "switching functions," previously used, are shown to play an important role in this reaction and their interpretation is discussed.

Physical Review AFeb 1, 19745 citations

The Role of Electron Spin in Atomic Collisions

Wolfgang Jitschin

NATO ASI series. Series B : PhysicsJan 1, 19850 citations

We present a joint experimental and theoretical study of spin depolarization in collisions of alkali-metal atoms with

^{3}\mathrm{He}

in a magnetic field. A rigorous quantum theory for spin-changing transitions is developed and applied to calculate the spin exchange and spin relaxation rates of Li and K atoms in cryogenic

^{3}\mathrm{He}

gas. Magnetic trapping experiments provide upper bounds to the spin exchange rates for $\mathrm{Li}\text{\ensuremath{-}}^{3}\mathrm{He}$ and $\mathrm{K}\text{\ensuremath{-}}^{3}\mathrm{He}$, which are in agreement with the present theory. Our calculations demonstrate that the alkali-metal atoms have extremely slow spin depolarization rates, suggesting a number of potential applications in precision spectroscopy and quantum optics.