Spin Relaxation of Optically Oriented Potassium Vapor

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Abstract
The spin‐disorientation cross section σ and coefficient of diffusion D0 of potassium vapor in a helium buffer gas have been obtained from a study of the variation of the potassium spin‐relaxation time with pressure of the helium buffer gas in an optical pumping experiment. The values obtained were σ=1.1×10−25 cm2 and D0=1.2 cm2 sec−1 at 85°C. The variation of σ for sodium, potassium, and rubidium vapor in a helium buffer gas is found to be consistent with the spin‐orbit mechanism for spin relaxation. An efficient method for collecting spin‐relaxation data has been developed and is described.