In atomic physics, a spin-destruction (or spin-disorientation) collision is a physical impact where the spin angular momentum of an atom is irretrievably scrambled.
This type of collision can be a significant spin relaxation mechanism for polarized alkali metal vapor. In particular, the relaxation rate of alkali metal atoms in SERF atomic magnetometers is dominated by spin-destruction collisions.
+Spin-destruction cross sections σsd,self σsd,He σsd,Ne σsd,N2 K 1 × 10−18 cm2 8 × 10−25 cm2 Rb 9 × 10−18 cm2 9 × 10−24 cm2 5.2 × 10−23 cm2 1 × 10−22 cm2 Cs 2 × 10−16 cm2 3 × 10−23 cm2 6 × 10−22 cm2
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