Stable atomic hydrogen: possible application in intense polarized sources

The authors briefly review the status of spin-polarized atomic hydrogen and discuss a possible way of extending the present limit of density. Pulse extraction of stabilized atoms by millimeter waves is proposed as a means of producing polarized atomic beams of uniform velocity and low divergence. It is speculated that these atoms could be used either as jet targets of a conventional type or as a stored atomic beam target by injecting them into a storage ring intersecting with an accelerator beam. When used in a polarized ion source, the high density of the atomic beam could possibly also improve the ionizer efficiency. 12 references, 1 figure