High volume hyperpolarizer for spin-polarized noble gas

A method for hyperpolarizing .sup.129 Xe, comprising:

• hyperpolarizing .sup.129 Xe in a target gas, wherein said target gas comprises:
• a) a fluorescence-quenching gas, for quenching alkali-metal fluorescence,
• b) a buffer gas, for pressure-broadening the optical absorption spectrum of alkali metal atoms, and
• c) xenon comprising .sup.129 Xe in at least natural isotopic abundance;
• under conditions sufficient to induce hyperpolarization of said .sup.129 Xe by spin exchange with alkali metal atoms, thereby providing hyperpolarized .sup.129 Xe.

Apparatus for hyperpolarizing a noble gas, comprising:

• a) a target gas delivery system adapted to deliver a flowing target gas comprising a noble gas;
• b) a pumping chamber for hyperpolarizing flowing noble gas by spin exchange with optically pumped alkali metal atoms;
• and
• c) hyperpolarization means for hyperpolarizing said flowing noble gas in said pumping chamber.

Apparatus for hyperpolarizing flowing .sup.3 He, comprising:

• a) hyperpolarization means, comprising:
• 1) a laser system capable of delivering hyperpolarizing radiation sufficient to hyperpolarize .sup.3 He by spin exchange with alkali metal atoms, and
• 2) a computer system enabling control and monitoring of a hyperpolarization procedure;
• and
• b) a replaceable polarization unit, comprising:
• 1) a target gas delivery system for maintaining and delivering a target gas comprising .sup.3 He at a hyperbaric pressure, and
• 2) a pumping chamber in fluid communication with said target gas delivery system;
• wherein said replaceable polarization unit engages and is operable with said hyperpolarization means so that the pumping chamber is oriented to admit hyperpolarizing radiation from said laser source into said pumping chamber for hyperpolarization of said .sup.3 He.

Apparatus for hyperpolarizing .sup.3 He, comprising:

• a hyperpolarizing system comprising:
• a laser system for delivering hyperpolarizing radiation sufficient to enable
• hyperpolarization of .sup.3 He by spin exchange with alkali metal atoms;
• wherein said hyperpolarizing system is adapted to removably engage a replaceable polarization unit having a pumping chamber adapted to permit flow-through of a target gas comprising .sup.3 He, and is capable of delivering hyperpolarizing radiation into said pumping chamber when said polarization unit is engaged therewith.