Polarization of fast atomic beams by Collisional Pumping: a proposal for production of intense polarized beams

Production of nuclear-spin-polarized atoms by 'collisional pumping' is proposed. Collisional pumping utilizes a succession of charge-transfer collisions between a fast ion or atom beam and a thick electron-spin-polarized target to polarize the beam. Calculational results are presented for 20-keV/u H or D ions or atoms incident on a polarized target. The process appears to have unique capabilities for polarizing fast H, D, T, and perhaps other nuclei, with the possibility of producing ampere currents.