ESR studies of spin-polarized atomic hydrogen using a 114-GHz heterodyne spectrometer

Spin-polarized atomic hydrogen (H↓) gas has been studied using electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques at low temperatures. The ESR apparatus and consequent data analysis required for accurate quantitative results are described in detail. Crucial to the data analysis is the ability to confine the sample of H↓ gas inside a liquid helium-coated microwave cavity where the magnetic field and temperature are constant. Results obtained so far are reported, which include the first detailed study of the one-body surface relaxation rate due to microscopic magnetic impurities in the cell walls.