Nuclear depolarization of alkali beams during ionization on surfaces

The depolarization of atomic alkali beams (6Li,7Li,23Na) during ionization on oxygen covered hot metal surfaces (Ir, Mo, Re, W) has been investigated. The polarization of the ionized beams was detected by a beam foil experiment. The temperature dependence of the observed depolarization is interpreted as due to a relaxation process caused by the interaction of the nuclear moments with fluctuating fields on the surface.