A 129 GHz dynamic nuclear polarizer in a wide-bore superconducting magnet

POSTER

Abstract

Dynamic nuclear polarization via fast dissolution method has allowed production of solutions containing highly-polarized nuclei ($>$10,000-fold enhancement of the room-temperature liquid-state NMR signal) of bio-molecules for \emph{in vitro} and \emph{in vivo} metabolic nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and imaging (MRI). Here we present the construction and use of a 129 GHz dynamic nuclear polarizer in a 4.6 T wide-bore superconducting magnet. The relatively large bore (150 mm) of the superconducting magnet allows the use of a cryostat separate from the magnet and routing of the microwaves such that the waveguide does not have to be removed before dissolution. A 100 mW microwave source operating at 129 GHz was used to irradiate the samples. The cryostat has a 10-liter liquid Helium capacity which lasts for 10-12 hrs of continuous operation. Base temperature of 1.15 K is achieved with a 450 m$^{3}$/hr roots blower pump. Preliminary results will be discussed.

*This work is supported in part by the National Institutes of Health grant numbers 1R21EB009147-01 and RR02584.

Authors

  • Lloyd Lumata

    • UT Southwestern Medical Center
    • UT Southwestern Med. Cntr.
  • Richard Martin

    • UT Southwestern Medical Center
  • Ashish Jindal

    • UT Southwestern Medical Center
  • Craig Malloy

    • UT Southwestern Medical Center
  • A. Dean Sherry

    • UT Southwestern Medical Center
  • Mark S. Conradi

    • Washington University in St. Louis
  • Matthew Merritt

    • UT Southwestern Medical Center