A scheme for concentrating a large fraction (-100%) of the alkali-metal atoms in an atomic vapor in any single magnetic sublevel of the ground state is developed. This is experimentally demonstrated in the ' Rb vapor. The atomic vapor is optically pumped to a high degree of spin polarization after which two radio-frequency m. pulses are applied to transfer the atomic population from the (2,2) or (2, -2) (F,MF) state to the (2,0) sublevel of the ground state. The resulting distribution is diagnosed using a microwave field tuned to the hyperfine transition (6834 MHz).PACS number(s): 32.80.Bx, 35.80. +s
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