Optical Pumping of Rubidium Spin in a Solid Argon Matrix
Using the matrix isolation technique we have trapped rubidium atoms inside a cryogenic solid argon crystal of thickness 200 µm. This weakly-interacting solid offers the experimental simplicity and high densities of solid-state systems, while allowing the implanted atoms to retain many of the properties of their gas-phase counterparts. As such, they are a promising environment for quantum information experiments, as well as sensors such as magnetometers. We spectroscopically observed narrow lines at 799 nm, 785 nm, and 747 nm, and investigated optical pumping of the implanted rubidium atoms. We observed that the absorption spectrum of the rubidium could be modified by incident laser light. This modification could be reversed by applying an additional light source. In addition, we were able to create spin polarization and measure a longitudinal spin relaxation time T1 of about 0.1 s.
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