A Rb spin filter for electrons
Abstract
We report on continuing experiments testing the feasibility of a polarization filter for electrons. The filter consists of a chamber filled with a dense, laser-pumped Rb vapour through which a low energy electron beam is passed. The polarization of the Rb is transfered to the electrons through exchange collisions. An important consideration is that at the required Rb density, the chamber becomes optically thick to the pumping laser. Keeping this in mind, the Rb atoms are pumped into a polarized dark state. An advantage of such a device would be its turn-key operation as a spin-polarized electron source.
- Publication:
-
APS April Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- April 1997
- Bibcode:
- 1997APS..APR.I1914B