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Relaxation experiments have been performed between 0–200 G on optically polarized Rb atoms in argon, krypton or xenon, at pressures ranging from 0.1 to 20 torr. They clearly show the existence of Rb–Ar, Rb–Kr and Rb–Xe molecules of low binding energy (smaller than kT). Molecular parameters such as lifetime, spin-orbit coupling constant, formation rate, constant of mass action, etc., are measured, or evaluated when they cannot be directly measured. Experimental values of the diffusion coefficient of Rb in the gas (except xenon) and of the disorientation cross sections by usual binary collisions are also obtained.

Excitation of atoms in a vapor by polarized light produces unequal population of the magnetic sublevels of the excited state. The emitted optical resonance radiation is therefore partly polarized. The application of radiofrequency or microwave fields at a magnetic resonance frequency will induce transitions between sublevels of the excited state. The degree of polarization of the emitted optical resonance radiation is altered when the magnetic resonance condition is fulfilled. As suggested by Brossel and Kastler, this effect may be used to reveal the structure of the energy level. A detailed theory applicable to, and experiments on the 3 Pi state of all the isotopes of mercury are reported. The results obtained indicate that double resonance phenomena constitute a valuable new tool for investigating the structure of atomic energy levels. The mean life of the 3 Pi state is shown by observations on the resonance line widths to be 1.55X 10~7 sec for all the isotopes. The g-faetor of the Z P\ state for isotopes with zero spin, measured in terms of the proton g-factor, is 1.4838±0.0004. 5 S. H. Autler and C.

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