Production of atomic alkali-metal beams in single hyperfine sublevels

Abstract

A compact source which produces atomic alkali-metal beams in individual hyperfine sublevels has been developed. The methods are demonstrated with Na23 atoms. Initially nearly all atoms are transferred into one hyperfine sublevel (|F, mF=|2, 2) by a double-resonance technique using laser optical pumping and rf transitions. Subsequently the other hyperfine sublevels can be populated selectively by an adiabatic high-frequency transition. The hyperfine sublevel populations are determined by laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy in a magnetic field. © 1983 The American Physical Society.