Laser-polarized lithium vapor with density ${10}^{14}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{-}2}$ in a differentially pumped cell was developed and used as a target in the nuclear fusion reaction ${}_{}{}^6{}_{}{}^{}(\mathit{\alpha }$,γ${)\mathrm{}}^{10}$B. A large change (25%) in reaction cross section relative to an unpolarized target was observed.

• Received 13 April 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.59.1088