Laser-enhanced low-pressure gas NMR signal from 129Xe

Hyperpolarized cesium ions doped in a glass material

“…The details have been described [5,6,33,34]. In close relation to this work, we briefly explain high-field optical pumping of atoms in a buffer gas.…”

Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

“…Hyperpolarization techniques are now most routinely applied to 3He and 129Xe, which are both used as volatile contrast agents for lung imaging (Moller et al, 2002). To hyperpolarize either of these noble gasses, a method called optical pumping is used (Raftery et al, 1991;Zeng et al, 1991). In a typical experiment, circularly polarized laser light of appropriate wavelength is directed at a vaporized alkali metal (usually Rb), which is mixed with the (pressurized) gas (Moller et al, 2002).…”

Applications of highly spin-polarized xenon in NMR

“…Experiments using optical techniques have recently demonstrated substantial enhancements of the xenon NMR signals from low pressure gas samples [96,107,108].·…”