Spin-destruction collision
In atomic physics, a spin-destruction collision is a physical impact where the spin angular momentum of an atom is irretrievably scrambled.
This type of collision can be a significant spin relaxation mechanism for polarized alkali metal vapor. In particular, the relaxation rate of alkali metal atoms in SERF atomic magnetometers is dominated by spin-destruction collisions.
| σsd,self | | σsd,He | | σsd,Ne | | σsd,N2 |
| K | 1 × 10−18 cm2 | | 8 × 10−25 cm2 | | | | |
| Rb | 9 × 10−18 cm2 | | 9 × 10−24 cm2 | | 5.2 × 10−23 cm2 | | 1 × 10−22 cm2 |
| Cs | 2 × 10−16 cm2 | | 3 × 10−23 cm2 | | | | 6 × 10−22 cm2 |
