Spin polarization of 85Rb atoms in collisions with optically oriented metastable 4He atoms in alkali–helium plasma

Abstract

We have experimentally detected a signal of magnetic resonance (MR) from ⁸⁵Rb atoms in the 5²S_1/2 state by measuring the absorption of light from a helium lamp producing optical orientation of metastable 2³S₁⁴He atoms in a cell containing alkali metal vapor and gaseous helium at a pressure of 1 Torr. The ratio of MR signal amplitudes in Rb and He atoms did not exceed 10^–2. Peculiarities of the formation and observation of the collisional polarization of Rb atoms in alkali–helium plasma are discussed.