Effects of spin-exchange collisions in a high-density alkali-metal vapor in low magnetic fields

I. M. Savukov, M. V. Romalis
2005 Physical Review A. Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics  
Spin-exchange collisions often play a dominant role in the broadening of Zeeman resonances in an alkalimetal vapor. Contrary to intuitive expectations, at high alkali-metal densities this broadening can be completely eliminated by operating in a low magnetic field, allowing construction of ultrasensitive atomic magnetometers. We describe a detailed study of the Zeeman resonance frequencies and linewidths as a function of the magnetic field, alkali-metal density, and the degree of spin
more » ... on of the atoms. Due to the nonlinear nature of the density matrix equations describing the spin-exchange collisions both the gyromagnetic ratio and the linewidth change as a function of the polarization. The results of experimental measurements are in excellent agreement with analytical and numerical solutions of the density matrix equations.
doi:10.1103/physreva.71.023405 fatcat:esfqvduwv5c6nexaiaeodhfgfa