  We measure spin mixing of F=1 and F=2 spinor condensates of 87Rb atoms
confined in an optical trap. We determine the spin mixing time to be typically
less than 600 ms and observe spin population oscillations. The equilibrium spin
configuration in the F=1 manifold is measured for different magnetic fields and
found to show ferromagnetic behavior for low field gradients. An F=2 condensate
is created by microwave excitation from F=1 manifold, and this spin-2
condensate is observed to decay exponentially with time constant 250 ms.
Despite the short lifetime in the F=2 manifold, spin mixing of the condensate
is observed within 50 ms.

Soft Condensed Matter