⇄ Sz↩ and ⇄ S+↩ relaxation in optically pumped cesium vapour

Abstract

Two-exponential relaxation of ⇄ S z ↩ in the ground state of optically pumped cesium atoms has been studied. The modified weak pumping transients method has been applied. The following cross sections for the nuclear spin independent disorientation of the electronic spin have been calculated:σ R(⇄ S z ↩) (Cs-He) = 2.3 x 10 -23 cm 2, σ R(⇄ S z ↩) (Cs-Ne) = 5.6 x 10 -23 cm 2, σ R(⇄ S z ↩) (Cs-Ar) = 94 x 10 -23 cm 2. Theoretically predicted relations between longit udinal and transverse relaxation times have been experimentally confirmed.