Dual-frequency optical pumping for spin-polarizing a lithium atomic beam
Abstract
A lithium-6 atomic beam is spin-polarized by means of optical pumping with a single-mode dye laser operating on the resonance transition. Simultaneous pumping of both hyperfine substates is achieved by frequency-splitting the laser light with an acousto-optic modulator. A polarization dependent signal, obtained by probing the optical activity of the beam with linearly polarized light, is utilized in a microprocessor-controlled laser stabilization scheme. The polarization is analyzed with a sextupole magnet and its overall value is 0.70 for an intensity of 1×1014 atms s-1. By reversing the sense of circular polarization of the pumping light the atomic beam polarization is easily reversed in direction.
- Publication:
-
Applied Physics
- Pub Date:
- February 1980
- DOI:
- 10.1007/BF00900673
- Bibcode:
- 1980ApPhy..21..121B
- Keywords:
-
- Atomic Beams;
- Dye Lasers;
- Lithium;
- Optical Pumping;
- Polarization (Spin Alignment);
- Acousto-Optics;
- Circular Polarization;
- Frequency Control;
- Light Beams;
- Lasers and Masers;
- PACS 32.90 - 42.60-v - 35.80+s;
- 32.90;
- 42.60-v;
- 35.80+s