High Xe density, high photon flux, stopped-flow spin-exchange optical pumping: Simulations versus experiments.

ABSTRACT: Spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) can enhance the NMR sensitivity of noble gases by up to five orders of magnitude at Tesla-strength magnetic fields. SEOP-generated hyperpolarised (HP) ¹²⁹Xe is a promising contrast agent for lung imaging but an ongoing barrier to widespread clinical usage has been economical production of sufficient quantities with high ¹²⁹Xe polarisation. Here, the 'standard model' of SEOP, which was previously used in the optimisation of continuous-flow ¹²⁹Xe polarisers, is modified for validation against two Xe-rich stopped-flow SEOP datasets. We use this model to examine ways to increase HP Xe production efficiency in stopped-flow ¹²⁹Xe polarisers and provide further insight into the underlying physics of Xe-rich stopped-flow SEOP at high laser fluxes.

SUBMITTER: Skinner JG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7436892 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature