Simple and efficient method of spin-polarizing a metastable helium beam by diode laser optical pumping
- INFM, Centro di Fisica delle Superfici e Basse Temperature del CNR, Dipartimento di Fisica, via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova (Italy)
- Dipartimento di Science Fisiche, Universita ``Federico II`` di Napoli, Mostra d`Oltremare Pad. 20, 80125 Napoli (Italy)
Diode laser optical pumping to produce a highly spin-polarized metastable He beam to be used in a spin-polarized metastable atom deexcitation spectroscopy experiment on magnetized surfaces is described. Efficient pumping of the beam is performed by means of an SDL-6702 distributed Bragg reflector diode laser which yields 50 mW of output power in a single longitudinal mode at 1083 nm, the resonance wavelength for the 2{sup 3} {ital S}{r_arrow}2{sup 3} {ital P}{sub 0,1,2} ({ital D}{sub 0}, {ital D}{sub 1}, and {ital D}{sub 2}) transitions of He*. The light is circularly polarized by a quarter-wave plate, allowing easy change of the sense of atomic polarization. The laser frequency can be locked to the atomic transition for several hours by phase-sensitive detection of the saturated absorption signal in a He discharge cell. Any of the three transitions of the triplet system can be pumped with the laser but the maximum level of atomic polarization of 98.5% is found pumping the {ital D}{sub 2} line. {copyright} {ital 1995} {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}.
- OSTI ID:
- 165446
- Journal Information:
- Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 66, Issue 8; Other Information: PBD: Aug 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Use of a diode laser to measure the polarization of an optically pumped ensemble of He(2{sup 3}{ital S}) atoms
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