We have developed a simple heuristic method for determining the polarization of an optically pumped alkali-metal vapor. A linearly polarized probe beam traverses a vapor cell perpendicular to the pump-beam propagation direction, and the transmitted beam intensity is monitored for orthogonal linear polarizations. As the probe beam is scanned in frequency across the ${D}_{1}$ transition, its linear-polarization-dependent transmission can be used as a measure of the atomic orientation of the vapor. We analyze these transmission differences and their dependence on the alkali-metal number density in the vapor.We have developed a simple heuristic method for determining the polarization of an optically pumped alkali-metal vapor. A linearly polarized probe beam traverses a vapor cell perpendicular to the pump-beam propagation direction, and the transmitted beam intensity is monitored for orthogonal linear polarizations. As the probe beam is scanned in frequency across the ${D}_{1}$ transition, its linear-polarization-dependent transmission can be used as a measure of the atomic orientation of the vapor. We analyze these transmission differences and their dependence on the alkali-metal number density in the vapor.

Physical Review ANov 26, 20126 citations

Spatial Polarization Profile in an Optically Pumped Alkali Vapor

Ben A. Olsen, Brian Patton, Yuan‐Yu Jau +1 more

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMay 20, 20090 citations

Comparative Measurement of Transverse Nuclear Magnetization of Polarized 129 Xe and 131 Xe by Spin-exch ange Optical Pumping

Yu. Ye Jin, Seong Ho Min, Han-Seb Moon

We analyze the transverse nuclear magnetizations of 129Xe and 131Xe in a vapor cell containing natural Xe, 87Rb, and buffer gases. The Xe atoms are polarized through spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) with Rb atoms under low-magnetic-field conditions. From the free-induction-decay (FID) signal, we measure the nuclear magnetization of the Xe atoms in the Xe-Rb vapor cell. Furthermore, we measure the dependence of the gyromagnetic ratio on the magnetization of 129Xe and 131Xe by examining the amplitude of the FID signal of each isotope, and we evaluate the relationship between the magnetic field gradient and transverse relaxation rate for both of the 129Xe and 131Xe isotopes.We analyze the transverse nuclear magnetizations of 129Xe and 131Xe in a vapor cell containing natural Xe, 87Rb, and buffer gases. The Xe atoms are polarized through spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) with Rb atoms under low-magnetic-field conditions. From the free-induction-decay (FID) signal, we measure the nuclear magnetization of the Xe atoms in the Xe-Rb vapor cell. Furthermore, we measure the dependence of the gyromagnetic ratio on the magnetization of 129Xe and 131Xe by examining the amplitude of the FID signal of each isotope, and we evaluate the relationship between the magnetic field gradient and transverse relaxation rate for both of the 129Xe and 131Xe isotopes.

Current Optics and PhotonicsDec 25, 20202 citations

Evaluating modeling approaches for Rb-129Xe spin-exchange optical pumping and the effect of Rb vapor density heterogeneity

James Ball, Jim M. Wild, Graham Norquay

The applicability of commonly used 129Xe nuclear polarization (PXe) buildup models to large optical cell polarizers, which operate at lower gas pressures when compared to small cell polarizers for which spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) models were originally developed, has yet to be systematically evaluated. In addition, spatial heterogeneity of Rb vapor density ([Rb]) and its impact on SEOP in low pressure, large optical cell polarizers remains poorly understood. In this theoretical study, it was shown that 1D analytical and numerical PXe buildup models yield diverging PXe and critical flow rate values at low flow rates and high laser absorption, contributing to the discrepancy between theoretical and experimentally measured production rates. Additionally, it was found that [Rb] heterogeneity leads to lower PXe buildup and an undesirable increase in optimal cell temperature, while the optimal laser absorption remains relatively unchanged. The updated simulation framework presented here can be utilized to model other SEOP systems.The applicability of commonly used 129Xe nuclear polarization (PXe) buildup models to large optical cell polarizers, which operate at lower gas pressures when compared to small cell polarizers for which spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) models were originally developed, has yet to be systematically evaluated. In addition, spatial heterogeneity of Rb vapor density ([Rb]) and its impact on SEOP in low pressure, large optical cell polarizers remains poorly understood. In this theoretical study, it was shown that 1D analytical and numerical PXe buildup models yield diverging PXe and critical flow rate values at low flow rates and high laser absorption, contributing to the discrepancy between theoretical and experimentally measured production rates. Additionally, it was found that [Rb] heterogeneity leads to lower PXe buildup and an undesirable increase in optimal cell temperature, while the optimal laser absorption remains relatively unchanged. The updated simulation framework presented here can be utilized to model other SEOP systems.

Journal of Applied PhysicsDec 24, 20244 citations

Modeling polarization reversal in optically pumped rubidium vapors

Joan Dreiling, Eric B. Norrgard

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMay 28, 20100 citations

{D}_{1}

transition, its linear-polarization-dependent transmission can be used as a measure of the atomic orientation of the vapor. We analyze these transmission differences and their dependence on the alkali-metal number density in the vapor.