Concentration of lithium vapor in a high-temperature sapphire capillary based on light-induced drift

The accumulation of atomic lithium vapor in a sapphire capillary based on l ight-induced drift is experimentally investigated. To suppress lithium adso rption on the walls of the capillary and prolong the life of the atomic sta te, the capillary was heated to high temperatures. The phenomenon of an "op tical piston" was observed, indicating a high degree of concentration of at omic lithium vapor. The experimental results are consistent with theoretica l ideas, and they suggest that heated cells hold some promise for efficient isotope separation and the detection of atomic micro-impurities, (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-7761(98)00210-8].