By using highly asymmetric glass cells we have increased the wall-induced quadrupole splitting of the nuclear-spin sublevels of noble gas atoms by some 2 orders of magnitude over previously reported values. We have used these large surface interactions to make quantitative studies of the electric field gradients experienced by the nuclei of ${}_{}{}^{131}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Xe}$ atoms adsorbed on glass walls.

• Received 8 June 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.59.1480