Depolarization of spin-polarized hydrogen via collisions with chlorine atoms at ultrahigh density

Abstract

Recently, the production of ultrahigh-density (∼1019cm−3) spin-polarized deuterium (SPD) atoms was demonstrated, from the photodissociation of deuterium iodide, but the upper density limit was not determined. Here, we present studies of spin-polarized hydrogen (SPH) densities up to 1020cm−3, by photodissociating 5 bar of hydrogen chloride with a focused 213 nm, 150 ps laser pulse. We extract the depolarization cross-section of hydrogen and chlorine atom collisions, which is the main depolarization mechanism at this high-density regime, to be σH-Cl=7(2)×10−17cm2. We discuss the conditions under which the ultrahigh SPH and SPD densities can be reached, and the potential applications to ultrafast magnetometry, laser-ion acceleration, and tests of polarized nuclear fusion.