The Polarization of 2 3 S 1 Metastable Helium Atoms by Optical Pumping

Transfer of spin polarization from optically pumped metastable helium atoms to the ions of Cd, Sr, and Zn following Penning collisions has been demonstrated indicating that a component of spin angular momentum is conserved. The ion polarization, detected optically, exceeds 10% at ion concentrations on the order of ${10}^{10}$ - ${10}^{11}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$.Transfer of spin polarization from optically pumped metastable helium atoms to the ions of Cd, Sr, and Zn following Penning collisions has been demonstrated indicating that a component of spin angular momentum is conserved. The ion polarization, detected optically, exceeds 10% at ion concentrations on the order of ${10}^{10}$-${10}^{11}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$.

Physical Review LettersMar 31, 196949 citations

{10}^{10}

{10}^{11}

${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$.