Dual-frequency optical pumping for spin-polarizing a lithium atomic beam

Jonathan Gillot, A. Gauguet, M Büchner +1 more

Jabez J. McClelland, Robert E Scholten, Robert Celotta

Jack T. Cusma

Hongying Yang, Yanhua Wang, Nan Zhao

Xiwen Zhu, 中国科学院武汉物理研究所

We describe a novel method to enrich isotopes and isomers via magnetic deflection of optically polarized atomic beam. High electronic polarization with opposite signs for atoms of both isotopes respectively is achieved by selective optical pumping using lasers with different frequencies and polarizations and then the isotopes are enriched by deflecting the oppositely polarized isotopes along different directions by the inhomo-geneous magnetic field in the spin selective magnet. Separation selectivity and throughput are evaluated and the advantages, disadvantages and prospects of possible application of the present method are discussed in comparison with other existing methods. Experimental scheme with lithium or potassium is suggested.

Tengyue Wang, Jianli Li, Zhanchao Liu +3 more

Abstract Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) co‐magnetometers are advanced quantum sensors capable of measuring angular velocity for inertial navigation. Within the Rb‐Xe atomic ensemble, Rb atoms absorb polarized light, decreasing electron spin polarization as the light travels greater distances. This attenuation causes a gradient in Rb spin polarization that severely affects atomic relaxation characteristics and degrades NMR sensors’ performance. Considering atomic diffusion motion, a theoretical simulation model is developed and the spatial distribution of electron spin polarization under the encounter‐propagating dual‐beam configuration is simulated. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed dual‐beam scheme achieves a more uniform distribution of electron polarization within the atomic vapor cell. Experiments reveal an 18% enhancement in 129 Xe nuclear spin polarization using the dual‐beam scheme compared to the conventional single‐beam. Through the Fermi contact interaction between optically pumped Rb and Xe atoms, a more uniform spatial distribution of Rb spin polarization reduces the gradient relaxation of Xe atoms and its depolarization effects, thereby significantly enhancing the macroscopic Xe spin polarization and the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of NMR sensors. This study presents a new method for improving atomic polarization, significantly enhancing the performance of quantum sensors.