  Excited state angular momentum alignment -- orientation conversion for atoms
with hyperfine structure in presence of an external magnetic field is
investigated. Transversal orientation in these conditions is reported for the
first time. This phenomenon occurs under Paschen Back conditions at
intermediate magnetic field strength. Weak radiation from a linearly polarized
diode laser is used to excite Rb atoms in a cell. The laser beam is polarized
at an angle of pi/4 with respect to the external magnetic field direction.
Ground state hyperfine levels of the 5S_1/2 state are resolved using
laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy under conditions for which all excited
5P_3/2 state hyperfine components are excited simultaneously. Circularly
polarized fluorescence is observed to be emitted in the direction perpendicular
to both to the direction of the magnetic field B and direction of the light
polarization E. The obtained circularity is shown to be in quantitative
agreement with theoretical predictions.
