Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 24, 2026
![Measuring the Spin-Lattice Relaxation Magnetic Field Dependence of Hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F59399.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Measuring the Spin-Lattice Relaxation Magnetic Field Dependence of Hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate
Published on: September 13, 2019
Field Cycling from 10 nT to 9.4 T: A Flexible Gear Rod Design for Nuclear Spin Relaxation and Hyperpolarization
Josh P Peters1, Charbel D Assaf1, Mathis Côté1,2
1Section Biomedical Imaging (SBMI), Molecular Imaging North Competence Center (MOINCC), Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 18, 24118 Kiel, Germany.
Abstract:
We present a flexible gear rod-based magnetic field cycling (MFC) system for high-resolution NMR spectrometers. The system enables the transfer of the sample from the NMR B 0 field of 9.4 T to ∼nT and all fields in between within 1 s. A flexible gear rod was essential for reducing the total height to approximately the height required for filling the NMR with liquid helium. Due to its reduced height, it can be installed in average-size NMR laboratories (the height of the NMR with MFC is only 3.32 m). Only off-the-shelf components and 3D-printed parts were used for the system assembly, lowering the costs for replication. An automated shimming procedure for ultralow fields is presented to achieve homogeneous fields of a few nanotesla. The system utility is exemplified by measuring T 1 relaxation dispersion of the most common liquid state hyperpolarization tracer[1-13C]-pyruvateand magnetic field dependences of signal amplification by reversible exchange, enabling alignment transfer to heteronuclei (SABRE-SHEATH) hyperpolarization of [15N]-pyridine. Using the system, we uncovered the exact relaxation dispersion of pyruvate for a standard preclinical dDNP sample composition and provided quantitative estimates for the retained polarization after sample transfer. We modified the observation protocol of SABRE-SHEATH polarization, which, with the high reproducibility of the MFC, provided us with a method to measure the chemical exchange rates of hyperpolarized compounds.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
Atomic Nuclei: Types of Nuclear Relaxation
In spin–lattice or longitudinal relaxation, the excited spins exchange energy with the surrounding lattice as they return to the lower energy level. Among several mechanisms that contribute to spin–lattice relaxation, magnetic dipolar interactions are significant. Here, the excited nucleus transfers...
Double Resonance Techniques: Overview
Spin decoupling is usually achieved by...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution
Atomic Nuclei: Magnetic Resonance
Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...

