Mechanism for collisional transformation of atomic polarization

Mahito Kohmoto, U. Fano

M. Elbel, M. Simon, Th Strauss

Abstract It is shown that an atomic state aligned by optical pumping with linearly polarized laser light, is partly transformed into an oriented state by the action of an electric field (Stark effect) or by collisional interaction with electrons. The outcome of the experiment suggests that the influence of the electrons prevails.

Vsevolod V. Balashov, Alexei N. Grum-Grzhimailo, Nikolai M. Kabachnik

D. S. Fisher

Measurements of collisional depolarization cross sections play an important role in gaining valuable information about the interaction between inert and rare-gas atoms.A key element in understanding collisional dynamics is the detailed analysis of the polarization of the emitted photons.In order to investigate the collisional cross section of the excited J=1/2 cesium atoms, by collisions with the ground level argon atoms, experimental measurements were made studying circular polarization spectra.Orientation in the J=1/2 level was optically induced by circularly polarized light with a positive helicity.A two-photon double-resonance (6s 2 S 1/2 →6p 2 P 1/2 → 10s 2 S 1/2 ) condition was achieved using nanosecond pulsed dye lasers, and the intensity of the cascade fluorescence was monitored in the presence of argon atoms ranging from 10 -4 torr to 100 torr.

Valery Alexandrovich Astapenko, L. A. Bureeva, Valerii S. Lisitsa

A. G. Petrashen, V. N. Rebane, T. K. Rebane

A comparative study of the beats of circular polarization generated by anisotropic atomic collisions is carried out on the basis of theoretical calculations for the states J =1, 3/2, and 2 of neon atoms and ions excited by monochromatic laser radiation in xenon atmosphere. Contributions made by ordinary alignment and higher polarization moments (octupole orientation and dodecapole alignment) in the collisional generation of orientation and the signal of beatings of circular polarization are compared.