Abstract
The longitudinal spin-relaxation rate is crucial for production of highly polarized by spin-exchange optical pumping. We show that is increased by a factor of 2–20 solely by exposure of spin-exchange cells to a few-kG magnetic field. The original can be restored by degaussing the cell. The effect is attributed to magnetic surface sites and has been observed in both Pyrex and aluminosilicate-glass cells. Our results both advance the understanding of wall relaxation and demonstrate the use of as an extremely sensitive probe of surface magnetism.
- Received 26 June 2001
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.143004
©2001 American Physical Society