Optical Pumping System Design for Large Production of Hyperpolarized {sup 129}Xe

Journal Article · Fri Feb 10 04:00:00 EST 2006 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.96.0· OSTI ID:20778590

Ruset, I C; Ketel, S; Hersman, F W ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824 (United States)

We present a design for a spin-exchange optical pumping system to produce large quantities of highly polarized {sup 129}Xe. Low xenon concentrations in the flowing gas mixture allow the laser to maintain high Rb polarization. The large spin-exchange rate between Rb and {sup 129}Xe through the long-lived van der Waals molecules at low pressure, combined with a high flow rate, results in large production rates of hyperpolarized xenon. We report a maximum polarization of 64% achieved for a 0.3 l/h Xe flow rate, and maximum magnetization output of 6 l/h at 22% polarization. Our findings regarding the polarization dependence on temperature, nitrogen partial pressure, and gas mixture flow velocity are also reported.

• OSTI ID: 20778590
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 96; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
FLOW RATE
MAGNETIZATION
MIXTURES
NITROGEN
OPTICAL PUMPING
PARTIAL PRESSURE
POLARIZATION
RUBIDIUM
SPIN EXCHANGE
VAN DER WAALS FORCES
XENON 129