Production of Intense Spin-Polarized Beams of Hydrogen Isotopes by Charge Transfer with High Density Raman-Pumped Alkali-Metal Vapors

Abstract

It should be possible to generate multi-ampere spin-polarized beams of hydrogen isotopes by repeated charge-transfer collisions in highly spin-polarized Cs vapor. Estimates suggest that off-resonant Raman pumping with kW scale narrowband tunable light at 895 nm should be able to produce a 1 m long, 10 cm diameter volume of 80\% polarized Cs vapor. The charge transfer collisions between the Cs and hydrogen result in a high nuclear spin-polarized negative ion beam that can be subsequently accelerated to high energy, neutralized, and be used to heat fusion plasmas with resulting increases in the fusion conversion efficiency.

arXiv comment6 pages, 4 figures