Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

"Polarized electron sources are needed to study the spin dependent processes in atomic and molecular systems. This area of physics has enjoyed much success in the past decade due to the development of polarized electron sources of high electron polarization and current. We have investigated the production and extraction of polarized electrons from an optically pumped helium discharge.

We have directly extracted electrons with polarizations between 6% and 7% at currents greater than 200 µA from a helium DC discharge where the helium 23S1 metastable atoms are optically pumped to nearly 100% polarization. These high metastable polarizations are achieved using recently developed, high power lasers tunable through the relevant He transitions and the development of a cross beam polarization enhancement technique. The polarized electrons are produced via coulombic interactions involving the polarized He metastable atoms within an active discharge. A single mode probe laser, appropriately tuned, oriented and polarized is used to interrogate the individual Zeeman levels to obtain the absolute polarization of the metastable ensemble. The polarization of the extracted electrons is measured with a new in-line neon polarimeter"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Alexander, Ralph William, Jr.

Committee Member(s)

Peacher, Jerry
Olson, Ronald E.
Gay, Timothy J.
Boone, Jack L.

Department(s)

Physics

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Physics

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Fall 1994

Pagination

x, 127 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 124-126)

Rights

© 1994 Raymond James Vandiver, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 6901

Print OCLC #

33212498

Electronic OCLC #

1013717115

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