Optical polarization of 24Na nuclei in a trap based on photoinduced drift

The results of experiments on the polarization of nuclei of the 24 Na radioactive isotope in a gas trap are presented. The action of the trap is based on the effect of the photoinduced drift of atoms caused by laser radiation. The anisotropy of γ-radiation emitted by ²⁴Na during the illumination of sodium vapor in the trap by circularly polarized laser radiation is measured and its dependence on the temperature of the trap walls is analyzed. A degree of polarization of ²⁴Na nuclei of 62 ± 2% is attained at temperatures above 1300 K, for which a rapid desorption of Na atoms from the walls and the decomposition of Na-based compounds take place.