Spin Polarization Measurement of Metastable He 23S1 Atoms in He Discharge

A method of measuring the polarization of metastable He 23S1 atoms (He*) in a He discharge is improved. He* density in each magnetic substate, i.e., mJ=+1, 0, -1, is estimated by measuring the attenuation of circularly and linearly polarized 1083 nm laser beams that are both tuned to the transition of He* 23S1 to 23P0 (the D0 line).