Method of operating a dynamic nuclear polarization system
View Patent ↗A method of operating a DNP system comprising: a cryostat ( 1 ); a magnetic field generator ( 2 ) located in the cryostat for generating a magnetic field in a working volume; a microwave cavity ( 8 ) within which the working volume is located; and a waveguide ( 18 ) for supplying microwave power to the microwave cavity; the method comprising: a) locating a sample in the working volume and subjecting the sample to a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator; b) supplying liquid coolant to the working volume to cool the sample; c) irradiating the sample with microwave power so as to hyperpolarize nuclear spins in the sample; and d) warming the sample following the irradiation step by expelling liquid coolant from the working volume while leaving the sample in the working volume.
1. A method of operating a DNP system comprising:
a cryostat;
a magnetic field generator located in the cryostat for generating a magnetic field in a working volume;
a microwave cavity within which the working volume is located; and
a waveguide for supplying microwave power to the microwave cavity; the method comprising:
a) locating a sample in the working volume and subjecting the sample to a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator;
b) supplying liquid coolant to the working volume to cool the sample;
c) irradiating the sample with microwave power so as to hyperpolarize nuclear spins in the sample;
d) expelling liquid coolant from the working volume while leaving the sample in the working volume; and subsequently
e) dissolving or melting the hyperpolarized sample in the working volume.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid coolant is supplied from a coolant containing vessel of the cryostat.
3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the liquid coolant in the working volume is removed by returning it to the liquid coolant containing vessel of the cryostat.
4. A method according to claim 3 , further comprising dissolving the irradiated sample in a solvent and removing the dissolved sample from the working volume.
5. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the sample is held in a sample holding tube into which liquid coolant is supplied in step (b).
6. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the coolant is liquid helium.
7. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the liquid coolant in the working volume is removed by evaporation.
8. A method according to claim 2 , further comprising dissolving the irradiated sample in a solvent and removing the dissolved sample from the working volume.
9. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the sample is held in a sample holding tube into which liquid coolant is supplied in step (b).
10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the coolant is liquid helium.
11. A method according to claim 10 , wherein the liquid coolant in the working volume is removed by evaporation.
12. A method according to claim 10 , further comprising dissolving the irradiated sample in a solvent and removing the dissolved sample from the working volume.
13. A method according to claim 10 , wherein the sample is held in a sample holding tube into which liquid coolant is supplied in step (b).
14. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid coolant in the working volume is removed by evaporation.
15. A method according to claim 14 , further comprising dissolving the irradiated sample in a solvent and removing the dissolved sample from the working volume.
16. A method according to claim 14 , wherein the sample is held in a sample holding tube into which liquid coolant is supplied in step (b).
17. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising dissolving the irradiated sample in a solvent and removing the dissolved sample from the working volume.
18. A method according to claim 17 , wherein the sample is held in a sample holding tube into which liquid coolant is supplied in step (b).
19. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the sample is held in a sample holding tube into which liquid coolant is supplied in step (b).