~(129)Xe-Cs (D_1, D_2) versus ~(129)Xe-Rb (D_1) spin-exchange optical pumping at high xenon densitiesusing high-power laser diode arrays

摘要

We investigate ~(129)Xe-Cs (D_1, D_2) spin exchange optical pumping (SEOP) at high Xe densities (～0.12-2.44 amagat) using newly available high-power (>40 W) laser diode arrays and compare with ~(129)Xe-Rb D_1 SEOP under similar conditions. At elevated Xe densities, the spin-exchange rate (per alkali-metal atom, γ') for Cs-~(129)Xe is ～1.5-fold greater than that for Rb-~(129)Xe. Higher spin-exchange rates and lower ~(129)Xespin-destruction rates for Cs-~(129)Xe versus Rb-~(129)Xe contribute to ～twofold improvement in ~(129)Xenuclear spin polarization measured at 9.4 T—with the largest gains observed at the highest Xe densities.