Development of laser optically pumped polarized target for use in heavy-ion physics
Abstract
Important micro and macroscopic details of heavy ion reactions may be explicitly determined when nuclear spin aligned (polarized) targets are used. For deformed nuclei, the orientation of the symmetry axis of the nuclear density distribution is determined by the nuclear spin orientation. Polarized targets would thus allow experiments to be performed as a function of the orientation of the symmetry axis of the nuclear density distribution. A polarized target of Eu-151 153 is being developed and is based on laser depopulation optical pumping. A spatially defined target is provided by a supersonic gas jet and consists of Eu atoms seeded into an inert carrier gas. Detailed time dependent optical bumping calculations predict approximately or = to 90% nuclear spin polarization in a Eu target with an expected thickness in excess of 10 to the 15th power atoms/sq cm. Some of the effects that will be observable in heavy ion reactions when deformed polarized targets are used are presented.
- Publication:
-
Presented at Conf. on Lasers in Nucl. Phys
- Pub Date:
- 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982lnp..conf.....S
- Keywords:
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- Europium Isotopes;
- Heavy Ions;
- Laser Pumping;
- Laser Targets;
- Nuclear Spin;
- Polarized Radiation;
- Alignment;
- Density Distribution;
- Gas Jets;
- Lasers and Masers