Polarization analysis of the light emitted by an optically pumped3He gas

Optical measurements of the nuclear polarizationM of an optically pumped pure³He gas have been performed. They consist in monitoring the circular polarization of various helium lines emitted by the discharge. We have demonstrated the possibility to use the orange line (587.5 nm) to measureM and we have calibrated this technique over the pressure range 0.4–6.5 Torr. The circular polarization of the light has been analyzed using a new device which includes a static polarimeter and photodiodes as light sensors. The intensity of the discharge was modulated and the detection was made at the frequency of modulation.Laboratoire associé au Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et a l'Université P. M. Curie