Calculation of the optical pumping parameters for electron-superelastic-scattering experiments from the sodium 3 (2)P3/2 level.

Abstract

The optical pumping parameters that modify the pure-state pseudo-Stokes parameters in an electron-superelastic-scattering experiment are calculated for the 3 $^{2}$${\mathit{S}}_{1/2}$(F=2)--${3}^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$(F) transitions of Na. A QED model is used to describe the laser excitation. It is found, that while the magnitude of the pumping parameter K' associated with circularly polarized excitation is close to unity for other than weak laser intensities, the value of the parameter K, associated with linearly polarized light, differs significantly from unity and is dependent on such experimental conditions as laser intensity, laser detuning, laser beam profile, and the Doppler width of the atomic transition. Methods for measuring K are suggested.