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arXiv · 2504.09040

Surface and chemical effects on $^{199}$Hg spin polarization relaxation in optically pumped magnetometers

Steven K. Lamoreaux
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Abstract

Quantum spin magnetometry using optically pumped $^{199}$Hg has been successfully used in many fundamental physics experiments. A serious problem that has not been resolved is the instability of the $^{199}$Hg spin relaxation rate in atomic vapor cells under irradiation with 254 nm Hg resonance light. In this paper, previously obtained data are re-analyzed or analyzed for the first time. The effects of impurities of H$_2$ and O$_2$ are elucidated, and possible ways to stabilize cells are discussed. Surface states originating from the an der Waals interaction of \hg with fused silica are analyzed and shown to be critical to understanding relaxation mechanisms. A discussion of the possible use of a mixture of N$_2$O and other gases is presented.

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Steven K. Lamoreaux. 2025-04-12. Surface and chemical effects on $^{199}$Hg spin polarization relaxation in optically pumped magnetometers. https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.09040

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