POLARIZATION ANALYSIS OF THE LIGHT EMITTED BY AN OPTICALLY PUMPED HE-3 GAS

Optical measurements of the nuclear polarization M of an optically pum ped pure He-3 gas have been performed. They consist in monitoring the circular polarization of various helium lines emitted by the discharge . We have demonstrated the possibility to use the orange line (587.5 n m) to measure M and we have calibrated this technique over the pressur e range 0.4-6.5 Torr. The circular polarization of the light has been analyzed using a new device which includes a static polarimeter and ph otodiodes as light sensors. The intensity of the discharge was modulat ed and the detection was made at the frequency of modulation.