Cryogenic field-cycling instrument for optical NMR hyperpolarization studies

Abstract

Optical dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) offers an attractive approach to enhancing the sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Efficient, optically-generated electron polarization can be leveraged to operate across a broad range of temperatures and magnetic fields, making it particularly appealing for applications requiring high DNP efficiency or spatial resolution. While a large class of systems hold promise for optical DNP, many candidates display both variable electron polarizability and electron and nuclear T₁ relaxation times as functions of magnetic field and temperature. This necessitates tools capable of studying DNP under diverse experimental conditions. To address this, we introduce a cryogenic field cycling instrument that facilitates optical DNP studies across a wide range of magnetic fields (10 mT–9.4 T) and temperatures (∼10 K–300 K) for wide-bore magnets. Continuous cryogen replenishment enables sustained, long-term operation. Additionally, the system supports the ability to manipulate and probe rapidly hyperpolarized (∼60 s) nuclear spins via pulse sequences involving millions of RF pulses. We describe innovations in the device design and demonstrate its operation on a model system of ¹³C nuclear spins in diamond polarized through optically pumped nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers. We anticipate the use of the instrument for a broad range of optical DNP systems and studies.