Production of Spin-Polarized Molecular Beams via Microwave or Infrared Rotational Excitation

Abstract

We propose schemes to produce highly nuclear-spin polarized small molecules in an intense and cold molecular beam via microwave or infrared rotational excitation, followed by hyperfine-induced quantum beats. Repumping schemes can be used to achieve polarization above $90\%$ in cases where single-pumping schemes are insufficient. We discuss the possibility of high production rates which allow applications including nuclear-magnetic-resonance signal enhancement, and spin-polarized nuclear fusion, where polarized nuclei are known to enhance D-T and D-$^3$He fusion cross sections by $50\%$.