Breakdown of angular momentum selection rules in high pressure optical pumping experiments.
We present measurements, by using two complementary methods, of the breakdown of atomic angular momentum selection rules in He-broadened Rb vapor. Atomic dark states are rendered weakly absorbing due to fine-structure mixing during Rb-He collisions. The effect substantially increases the photon demand for optical pumping of dense vapors.
Lancor
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B
Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
Babcock
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E
Wyllie
R
R
Walker
T G
TG