We measure nuclear and electron spin-polarized H and D densities of at least 1019cm−3 with ∼10 ns lifetimes, from the photodissociation of HBr and DI with circularly-polarized UV light pulses. This density is ∼6 orders of magnitude higher than that produced by conventional continuous-production methods, and, surprisingly, at least 100 times higher than expected densities for this photodissociation method. We observe the hyperfine quantum beating of the H and D magnetization with a pick-up coil, i.e., the respective 0.7 and 3 ns periodic transfer of polarization from the electrons to the nuclei and back. The 1019cm−3 spin-polarized H and D density is sufficient for laser-driven ion acceleration of spin polarized electrons, protons, or deuterons, the preparation of nuclear-spin-polarized molecules, and for the demonstration of spin-polarized D-T or D-3He laser fusion, for which a reactivity enhancement of ∼50% is expected.
@article{arxiv.1807.08796,
title = {Ultrahigh-density spin-polarized H and D observed via magnetization quantum beats},
author = {Dimitris Sofikitis and Chrysovalantis S. Kannis and Gregoris K. Boulogiannis and T. Peter Rakitzis},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1807.08796},
year = {2018}
}