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Solid effect dynamic nuclear polarization and polarization pathways.

ABSTRACT: Using dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP)/nuclear magnetic resonance instrumentation that utilizes a microwave cavity and a balanced rf circuit, we observe a solid effect DNP enhancement of 94 at 5 T and 80 K using trityl radical as the polarizing agent. Because the buildup rate of the solid effect increases with microwave field strength, we obtain a sensitivity gain of 128. The data suggest that higher microwave field strengths would lead to further improvements in sensitivity. In addition, the observation of microwave field dependent enhancements permits us to draw conclusions about the path that polarization takes during the DNP process. By measuring the time constant for the polarization buildup and enhancement as a function of the microwave field strength, we are able to compare models of polarization transfer, and show that the major contribution to the bulk polarization arises via direct transfer from electrons, rather than transferring first to nearby nuclei and then transferring to bulk nuclei in a slow diffusion step. In addition, the model predicts that nuclei near the electron receive polarization that can relax, decrease the electron polarization, and attenuate the DNP enhancement. The magnitude of this effect depends on the number of near nuclei participating in the polarization transfer, hence the size of the diffusion barrier, their T(1), and the transfer rate. Approaches to optimizing the DNP enhancement are discussed.

SUBMITTER: Smith AA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3265031 | biostudies-other | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:Microwave driven dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is a process in which the large polarization present in an electron spin reservoir is transferred to nuclei, thereby enhancing NMR signal intensities. In solid dielectrics there are three mechanisms that mediate this transfer--the solid effect (SE), the cross effect (CE), and thermal mixing (TM). Historically these mechanisms have been discussed theoretically using thermodynamic parameters and average spin interactions. However, the SE and the CE can also be modeled quantum mechanically with a system consisting of a small number of spins and the results provide a foundation for the calculations involving TM. In the case of the SE, a single electron-nuclear spin pair is sufficient to explain the polarization mechanism, while the CE requires participation of two electrons and a nuclear spin, and can be used to understand the improved DNP enhancements observed using biradical polarizing agents. Calculations establish the relations among the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) frequencies and the microwave irradiation frequency that must be satisfied for polarization transfer via the SE or the CE. In particular, if δ, Δ < ω(0I), where δ and Δ are the homogeneous linewidth and inhomogeneous breadth of the EPR spectrum, respectively, we verify that the SE occurs when ω(M) = ω(0S) ± ω(0I), where ω(M), ω(0S) and ω(0I) are, respectively, the microwave, and the EPR and NMR frequencies. Alternatively, when Δ > ω(0I) > δ, the CE dominates the polarization transfer. This two-electron process is optimized when ω(0S(1))-ω(0S(2)) = ω(0I) and ω(M)~ω(0S(1)) or ω(0S(2)), where ω(0S(1)) and ω(0S(2)) are the EPR Larmor frequencies of the two electrons. Using these matching conditions, we calculate the evolution of the density operator from electron Zeeman order to nuclear Zeeman order for both the SE and the CE. The results provide insights into the influence of the microwave irradiation field, the external magnetic field, and the electron-electron and electron-nuclear interactions on DNP enhancements.

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Solid effect dynamic nuclear polarization and polarization pathways.

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