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Biomedical Magnetic Resonance

Department 8.1

Production and application of hyperpolarized noble gases

 

129Xe polarizer

Principle optical spin-exchange pumping in continuous-flow mode
Production rate approx. 400 ml/h
Degree of polarization approx. 15 %
Working medium Xe (2 vol-%), N2 (4 vol-%), He (94 vol-%), Rb vapor
Pressure 5 bar
Laser 120-W diode laser system, λ = 794.8 nm
Diagnostics on-line NMR, optical spectrometer

 


Mobile 129Xe-polarizer

Principle optical spin-exchange pumping in continuous-flow mode
Degree of polarization approx. 25 %
Working medium Xe, N2, He , Rb vapor (partial pressures variable)
Pressure 3 bar
Laser 110-W diode-laser system, λ = 794.8 nm
Diagnostics on-line NMR, optical spectrometer

 


3He-129Xe polarizer

Principle optical spin-exchange pumping in batch mode
Degree of polarization approx. 50 % for 129Xe, 20 % for 3He
Working medium Xe, N2, He, Rb vapor (partial pressures variable)
Pressure 1-3 bar
Laser 100-W diode-laser system, λ = 794,8 nm
Diagnostics on-line NMR, optical spectrometer

 


Narrowband pump lasers for optical spin-exchange pumping

Principle volume Bragg grating stabilized laser diode array
Laser power 4 x 100 Watt
Wavelength 795 +- 0.5 nm
Spectral linewidth below 0.5 nm

 


Small animal ventilation system for hyperpolarized gases

Principle computer-controlled ventilation system with a special branch of hyperpolarized gas
Adapted for small animals
Parameter tidal volume and respiratory cycle sequence freely programmable

 


Gas separation module for up-concentration of hyperpolarized 129Xe

Principle semipermeable gas separation membrane
Adapted continuous flow
Parameter complete separation of the helium process gas  from the gas stream containing the hyperpolarized 129Xe