Award Abstract #0618891
Development of New Instrumentation for High-Yield, High Rate Laser-Polarized Noble Gas Production

NSF Org:	PHY Division of Physics
Initial Amendment Date:	August 31, 2006
Latest Amendment Date:	August 31, 2006
Award Number:	0618891
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Kathleen V. McCloud PHY Division of Physics MPS Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Start Date:	October 1, 2006
Expires:	September 30, 2008 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$541845
Investigator(s):	Ronald Walsworth rwalsworth@cfa.harvard.edu (Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	Harvard University 1350 MASSACHUSETTS AVE Cambridge, MA 02138 617/495-5501
NSF Program(s):	MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):	0000099 Other Applications NEC
Program Reference Code(s):	OTHR, 1242, 0000
Program Element Code(s):	1189

ABSTRACT

This proposal will support the development of novel instrumentation for noble gas laser-polarization, and automated delivery of this gas to samples for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) experiments. In recent years, significant progress has been made in materials science and bioimaging using small, noble-gas laser-polarization systems that generate limited amounts of laser-polarized 129Xe or 3He. However, practical and technical problems with both gas production and delivery have limited the application of more complex MRI techniques, and in other cases, have restricted research applications completely. Also, commercial development of noble gas polarization systems has been halted, despite significant demands, after a takeover of Amersham Health by General Electric. This submission proposes to address these problems by developing a suite of new instrumentation using novel laser technology, automation for gas accumulation and storage, and gas compression without significant polarization loss. The broader impacts involve applications to physiology as well as student education and outreach to the general public.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Mair R. W. ; Barlow M. J. ; Rosen M. S. ; Walsworth R. L..  "Improved Noble Gas Polarization Production for Porous and Granular Media Studies using Narrowed-Line VBG Laser Sources,"  Magnetic Resonance Imaging,  v.25,  2007,  p. 549.

Mair R. W. ; Rosen M. S. ; Barlow M. J. ; Candela D.; Walsworth R. L..  "NMR Measurement of Gas-Phase Dynamics in a Gas-Fluidized Particle Bed using Laser-Polarized Xenon NMR,"  Magnetic Resonance Imaging,  v.25,  2007,  p. 572.

Tsai L.L.; Mair R.W.; Rosen M.S.; Patz S.; Walsworth R.L..  "An Open-Access, Very-Low-Field MRI System for Posture-Dependent 3He Human Lung Imaging.,"  Journal of Magnetic Resonance,  v.193,  2008,  p. 274.


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