Relaxation des Natrium-Grundzustandes bei Stößen mit den stabilen Helium- und Wasserstoff-Isotopen

The spin-polarization of the optically pumped Na-groundstate is investigated in presence of the stable He- and H₂-isotopes. The following disorientation cross sections are derived from the pressure dependence of the relaxation rate:σ=(16.2±2.0) · 10^?26 cm² for He³ σ=(2.4±0.5) · 10^?26 cm² for He⁴ σ=(3.9±1.5) · 10^?26 cm² for H₂ σ=(2.3±1.0) · 10^?26 cm² for D₂. These values can be compared with theoretical cross sections based on two relaxation models and indicate the existence of a relaxation mechanism involving the exchange of the electronic alkali-spin with the nuclear spin of the foreign gas.