Real-Time Polarimetry of Hyperpolarized ¹³C Nuclear Spins Using an Atomic Magnetometer

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Hyperpolarized tracers are crucial for magnetic resonance (MR) applications, including spectroscopy and in vivo imaging.
• Accurate quantification of nuclear spin polarization is essential for optimizing these techniques.
• Current methods may be destructive or lack real-time monitoring capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a non-destructive method for quantifying nuclear spin polarization.
• To enable real-time quality monitoring of hyperpolarized substances.
• To enhance the utility of hyperpolarized tracers in MR applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a high-sensitivity miniaturized ⁸⁷Rb-vapor magnetometer to detect the magnetic field generated by the sample.
• Employed a windowed dynamical decoupling pulse sequence to maximize nuclear spin lifetime and modulate polarization.
• Applied the method to a 0.08 M hyperpolarized [1-¹³C]-pyruvate solution produced via dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization.

Main Results:

• Successfully measured nuclear spin polarization non-destructively.
• Monitored polarization repeatedly during natural decay under Earth's field conditions.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of the technique for hyperpolarized [1-¹³C]-pyruvate.

Conclusions:

• The developed method offers a non-destructive approach for nuclear spin polarization quantification.
• This technique is relevant for real-time quality control of hyperpolarized tracers.
• The findings support broader applications in magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging.