Polarization and hyperfine transitions of metastable 129Xe in discharge cells

The polarization and relaxation rates of metastable 129Xe atoms are measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy, at both microwave frequencies, where ΔF=1 transitions are induced between the sublevels, and at radiofrequencies, corresponding to ΔF=0 transitions. The nuclear spin polarization of the resonant velocity group is measured to be 22±2%. The relaxation of metastable xenon atoms is dominated by depolarizing collisions with ground-state atoms, with lesser contributions from metastability exchange collisions.