Light-induced drift velocities in Na<i>–</i>noble-gas mixtures

H. G. C. Werij; J. E. M. Haverkort; P. C. M. Planken; E. R. Eliel; J. P. Woerdman; S. N. Atutov; P. L. Chapovskii; F. Kh. Gel’mukhanov

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.58.2660

Light-induced drift velocities in Na–noble-gas mixtures

H. G. C. Werij, J. E. M. Haverkort, P. C. M. Planken, E. R. Eliel, J. P. Woerdman, S. N. Atutov, P. L. Chapovskii, and F. Kh. Gel’mukhanov

Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 2660 – Published 22 June 1987

Abstract

We report direct quantitative measurements of the light-induced drift velocity in Na–noble-gas mixtures under well-defined conditions. Results are in excellent agreement with predictions from a realistic numerical model incorporating the multilevel structure of the Na atom. The effect of optical hyperfine pumping on light-induced drift is investigated. Limiting values for the drift velocity are predicted.