Examination of Spin-Exchange Relaxation in the Alkali Metal-Noble Gas Comagnetometer With a Large Electron Magnetic Field

Alkali metal-noble gas comagnetometers operated in the regime of spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) have been widely used in fundamental physics tests and rotation sensing as gyroscope. Spin-exchange relaxation is an important systematic bias of the comagnetometer, which could limit sensitivity significantly. However, the suppression effect of the spin-exchange relaxation has not been examined quantitatively so far. Herein, we systematically investigate the relaxation of the alkali metal atoms and find that the spin-exchange relaxation is not completely eliminated under the normal operating condition of the K-Rb-Ne-21 comagnetometer. In addition to the optical pumping rate, the spin-exchange relaxation still plays a dominant role in the broadening of electron Zeeman resonances due to the large electron magnetic field. This is the first demonstration that the alkali metal atoms are operated in the near-SERF regime in the alkali metal-noble gas comagnetometer with a large election magnetic field, which will shed light on the way to reduce the relaxation of the alkali metal atoms and enhance the sensitivity of the comagnetometer.

Automated summary

In this study, the relaxation of alkali metal atoms in comagnetometers was systematically investigated, revealing that spin-exchange relaxation is not completely eliminated under normal operating conditions. Despite the presence of optical pumping, spin-exchange relaxation still plays a dominant role in broadening electron Zeeman resonances due to a large electron magnetic field. This study demonstrates the operation of alkali metal atoms in comagnetometers near the SERF regime with a large electron magnetic field, providing insights for reducing relaxation and improving sensitivity.