He-3 polarization via optical pumping in a birefringent cell

Type of Work

Article

Date

8-1-2005

Journal Title

Applied Physics Letters

Journal ISSN

0003-6951

Journal Volume

87

Journal Issue

5

First Page

053506

DOI

10.1063/1.2008370

Abstract

A sapphire cell was used to obtain a high He-3 nuclear polarization by means of spin-exchange optical pumping. The phase-shift difference between ordinary and extraordinary rays is well controlled using the thickness of the birefringent sapphire window so that a high circular polarization is obtained in the cell. Neutron transmission through the polarized He-3 gas was measured as a function of neutron energy. A large He-3 polarization of 63 +/- 1% was obtained at a He-3 pressure of 3.1 atm. Neutron polarizations of 97 and 90 % were obtained with transmission rates of 15 and 22 % at 10 and 20 meV, respectively. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.

Hamilton Areas of Study

Physics

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