QUANTUM THEORY OF THE OPTICAL PUMPING CYCLE. EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION OF NEW EFFECTS PREDICTED

ABS>A detailed physical interpretation of the results of the Barrat- Cohen-Tannoudji theory of the optical pumping cycle is presented. The experimental verification of the essentially new effects that the calculation of the pumping cycle predicts is described. The odd isotopes of mercury were chosen for the experimental verification. The two most important effects predicted by the theory and verified by the experimental work are the radiative effects associated with the absorption process and the partial conservation of coherence'' during the optical pumping cycle. (J.S.R.)