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Hyperpolarized Nuclei for NMR Imaging and Spectroscopy - Lunds ...

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6<br />

N<br />

m<br />

=<br />

exp(<br />

Em kBT) + I<br />

exp(<br />

Ei kBT) ∑<br />

i=−I where N m is the number of nuclei in the state m, E m is given by Eq. [1], <strong>and</strong><br />

T is the temperature. By combining Eqs. [4] <strong>and</strong> [6], it follows that P can be<br />

expressed as<br />

2.2 Hyperpolarization<br />

P =<br />

2.2.1 The “brute-<strong>for</strong>ce” approach<br />

[6]<br />

⎛ B ⎞<br />

⎜ ⎟ . [7]<br />

⎝ 2kT<br />

⎠<br />

tanh γ h 0<br />

From Eq. [7], it follows that the thermal polarization increases with increasing<br />

magnetic field strength <strong>and</strong> decreasing temperature. A straight<strong>for</strong>ward,<br />

“brute-<strong>for</strong>ce” approach to increase the polarization in a sample consists<br />

of subjecting it to a very strong magnetic field at a temperature close to<br />

absolute zero. The polarizations of selected nuclei at 1.5 T <strong>and</strong> 310 K, <strong>and</strong><br />

at 20 T <strong>and</strong> 4 K (the temperature of liquid helium), are shown in Table 1.<br />

Table 1. The polarization of selected nuclei at 1.5 T <strong>and</strong> body temperature, <strong>and</strong> at<br />

20 T <strong>and</strong> 4 K.<br />

Nucleus Polarization P 1<br />

at 1.5 T, 310 K<br />

1 H 4.9·10 –6<br />

3 He 3.8·10 –6<br />

13 C 1.2·10 –6<br />

129 Xe 1.4·10 –6<br />

Polarization P 2<br />

at 20 T, 4 K<br />

5.1·10 –3<br />

3.9·10 –3<br />

1.3·10 –3<br />

1.4·10 –3<br />

Ratio P 2/P1<br />

1033<br />

1033<br />

1033<br />

1033<br />

The polarization, which is in the ppm range at 1.5 T <strong>and</strong> body temperature,<br />

can hence be increased by a factor of 1000 by cooling down the sample<br />

to liquid helium temperature at a field strength of 20 T. If the sample could<br />

be brought from 20 T, 4 K to 1.5 T, 310 K instantaneously <strong>and</strong> without<br />

loss of polarization, it could thus be regarded as “hyperpolarized.” Figure 1

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