The production of a highly polarized atomic cesium beam

• Published in: Optics communications Vol. 57; no. 1; pp. 45 - 48
• Main Authors: Watts, R.N., Wieman, C.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.02.1986; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Atomic and molecular physics; Atomic properties and interactions with photons; Exact sciences and technology; Photon interactions with atoms; Physics; Laser beam; Atomic beam; Spin polarization; Optical pumping; Cesium Atoms; Experimental study; Energy level population; Hyperfine transition
• ISSN: 0030-4018; 1873-0310
• DOI: 10.1016/0030-4018(86)90204-X

We have produced a cesium beam of 10 14 atoms s −1 with more than 98% of the atoms in a single spin state. The beam was polarized by optically pumping it with a single laser diode whose frequency was switched between the 6 s( F = 4)−6p 3 2 (F = 5) rmand 6s(F = 3)−6p 3 2 (F = 4) transitions at 100 kHz. To do this, it was necessary to determine the frequency modulation characteristics of the laser. The same laser was used to simultaneously probe the atomic population distribution. We find this to be a remarkably simple and inexpensive way to produce a highly spin polarized beam.