Liquid crystal polarimetry for metastability exchange optical pumping of [superscript 3]He

Author(s)
Maxwell, James D; Epstein, Charles S.; Milner, Richard G
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Alternative title
Liquid crystal polarimetry for metastability exchange optical pumping of 3He
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Abstract
We detail the design and operation of a compact, discharge light polarimeter for metastability exchange optical pumping of [superscript 3]He gas near 1 torr under a low magnetic field. The nuclear polarization of [superscript 3]He can be discerned from its electron polarization, measured via the circular polarization of 668 nm discharge light from an RF excitation. This apparatus measures the circular polarization of this very dim discharge light using a nematic liquid crystal wave retarder (LCR) and a high-gain, transimpedance amplified Si photodiode. We outline corrections required in such a measurement and discuss contributions to its systematic error.
Date issued
2014-08
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/106931
Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Physics; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Laboratory for Nuclear Science
Journal
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Publisher
Elsevier
Citation
Maxwell, J.D., C.S. Epstein, and R.G. Milner. “Liquid Crystal Polarimetry for Metastability Exchange Optical Pumping of [superscript 3]He.” Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment 764 (2014): 215–219.
Version: Original manuscript
ISSN
0168-9002
1872-9576
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