Hyperpolarization (physics)

Hyperpolarization is the spin polarization of the atomic nuclei of a material in a magnetic field far beyond thermal equilibrium conditions determined by the Boltzmann distribution.[1] It can be applied to gases such as 129Xe and 3He, and small molecules where the polarization levels can be enhanced by a factor of 104–105 above thermal equilibrium levels. Hyperpolarized noble gases are typically used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lungs.[2] Hyperpolarized small molecules are typically used for in vivo metabolic imaging. For example, a hyperpolarized metabolite can be injected into animals or patients and the metabolic conversion can be tracked in real-time. Other applications include determining the function of the neutron spin-structures by scattering polarized electrons from a very polarized target (3He), surface interaction studies, and neutron polarizing experiments.[3]

  1. ^ Leawoods, Jason C.; Yablonskiy, Dmitriy A.; Saam, Brian; Gierada, David S.; Conradi, Mark S. (2001). "Hyperpolarized 3He Gas Production and MR Imaging of the Lung". Concepts in Magnetic Resonance. 13 (5): 277–293. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.492.8128. doi:10.1002/cmr.1014.
  2. ^ Altes, Talissa; Salerno, Michael (2004). "Hyperpolarized Gas Imaging of the Lung". J Thorac Imaging. 19 (4): 250–258. doi:10.1097/01.rti.0000142837.52729.38. PMID 15502612.
  3. ^ Walker, Thad G.; Happer, William (1997-04-01). "Spin-exchange optical pumping of noble-gas nuclei". Reviews of Modern Physics. 69 (2): 629–642. Bibcode:1997RvMP...69..629W. doi:10.1103/revmodphys.69.629. ISSN 0034-6861.