Larmor precession in polarization spectroscopy with spatially separated beams

Sodium vapour in a sealed cell is irradiated by two counter-propagating but laterally displaced beams from the same laser, tuned to one of the hf components of the D1 line. Atoms pumped by the stronger beam, circularly polarized, precess in a transverse magnetic field, < 300 mG, during their passage to the weaker beam where their orientation is monitored. The observed signals are interpreted quantitatively. (orig.)