Polarization and relaxation rates of radon

Polarization and relaxation of radon isotopes by spin exchange with laser optically pumped rubidium were studied in preparation for electric dipole moment measurements with octupole deformed {sup 223}Rn. {gamma}-ray anisotropies provided a measure of nuclear polarization produced by spin exchange with laser polarized rubidium vapor, and the temperature dependence over the range 130 to 220 deg. C was measured to parametrize the spin exchange polarization and the quadrupole-dominated wall relaxation rate. These results provide quantitative data for developing electric dipole moment measurements of octupole-deformed {sup 223}Rn and other radon isotopes.