An experimental determination of gJ(He4, 2S13)gJ(H1, 1S122)

The ratio of the gJ factor of He4(2S13) to that of Rb87(5S122) has been measured to a fractional accuracy of 5×10-8. The Rb atoms were optically pumped, and the He4(2S13) Zeeman resonance was observed through a combination of spin-exchange collisions and spin-dependent Penning ionization. Linewidths as narrow as 220 Hz were observed for the He4(2S13) Zeeman resonance. The accuracy of this experiment was limited by a systematic shift in the He gJ factor that depended upon the intensity of the discharge used to excite the He atoms to the 2S13 state. Calculations indicate that transfer of coherence in spin-exchange collisions with free electrons contributes to this shift. The measured ratio gJ(He4, 2S13)gJ(Rb87, 5S122)=1-46.798(50)×10-6. Using the previously measured ratio of the gJ factors of the ground state of rubidium to the ground state of hydrogen, we determine the ratio gJ(He4, 2S13)gJ(H1, 1S122)=1-23.214(50)×10-6. This result agrees with recent theoretical calculations and experimental determinations using atomic-beam techniques, but disagrees with an earlier experimental determination using optical-pumping techniques. © 1977 The American Physical Society.

Duke Scholars

Author Hugh Robinson Physics