Abstract: Hyperpolarized samples (i.e., samples having fractional spin polarization P of at least 0.1) of a target molecular species are created through spin transfer from hyperpolarized xenon atoms or other source isotopes. Reversible nanoscale solid state contact is achieved between the hyperpolarized xenon atoms and molecules of a target species. The resulting solid state mixture is exposed to conditions of magnetic field and temperature designed to allow or even facilitate transfer of spin polarization from the xenon to the target molecules. The xenon and the target species are then separated under conditions that substantially preserve the polarization of the target species. The hyperpolarized target species can then be introduced into a subject of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment.

Abstract: A method of measuring precessing magnetization includes providing a first site characterized by a first spin order and providing a second site. The method also includes transferring a portion of the first spin order from the first site to the second site. The second site is characterized by a second spin order orthogonal to the first spin order. The method further includes exposing a sample including the first site and the second site to a magnetic field, measuring a precessing magnetization of at least one of the first site or the second site, repeating the transferring a portion of the first spin order from the first site to the second site, and repeating the measuring of the precessing magnetization.

Abstract: A method of measuring precessing magnetization includes providing a first site characterized by a first spin order and providing a second site. The method also includes transferring a portion of the first spin order from the first site to the second site. The second site is characterized by a second spin order orthogonal to the first spin order. The method further includes exposing a sample including the first site and the second site to a magnetic field, measuring a precessing magnetization of at least one of the first site or the second site, repeating the transferring a portion of the first spin order from the first site to the second site, and repeating the measuring of the precessing magnetization.

Abstract: Techniques and systems using polarizable objects in sufficiently close proximity to measure the force of interaction between a sample and a probe to obtain information about the properties of the sample. One or more small mechanical oscillators with high force sensitivity are engaged to the sample or the probe for the measurements.

Abstract: Techniques and devices using a fiber to couple light efficiently and compactly in a direction transverse to the fiber core for optical sensing, optical switching, and optical data storage applications. Devices are described for all-fiber optical switching, multiple-disk high-data-rate optical disk drives with compact optical fiber read/write heads, compact fiber-optic interferometers for position, measurements, and endoscopic probes for medical tissue modification and measurement.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for causing electromagnetic interaction between an oscillator and a quantum ensemble with transition moments to transfer energy. In implementation, a mechanical oscillator with an electromagnetically polarized moving part is placed close to the quantum ensemble to extract energy from said quantum ensemble so as to reduce an entropy of the quantum ensemble.

Abstract: Sensing devices and techniques based on motion of a mechanical oscillator caused by electromagnetic interaction, such as a magnetic polarization with a magnetic field or an electric polarization with an electric field.

Abstract: Techniques and devices based on configurational effects of at least one pair of parts with one nano-scale part in a nano-scale configuration to produce a resonance-enhanced optical response when subject to a small change in a relative geometrical configuration of the two parts. The resonance may be achieved by either a plasmon resonance or a quantum-confined resonance.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for causing electromagnetic interaction between an oscillator and a quantum ensemble with transition moments to transfer energy. In implementation, a mechanical oscillator with an electromagnetically polarized moving part is placed close to the quantum ensemble to extract energy from said quantum ensemble so as to reduce an entropy of the quantum ensemble.

Abstract: Sensing devices and techniques based on motion of a mechanical oscillator caused by electromagnetic interaction, such as a magnetic polarization with a magnetic field or an electric polarization with an electric field.

Abstract: A system and method for force-detected NMR measurements by applying a spatially homogeneous field at a site of the sample. A composite magnet assembly is implemented to produce the homogeneous field and optimize the detection sensitivity.

Abstract: Techniques of combining separate but correlated measurements to form a second-order or higher order correlation function to suppress the effects of noise in the initial condition of a system capable of retaining memory of an initial state of the system with a characteristic relaxation time. At least two separate measurements are obtained from the system. The temporal separation between the two separate measurements is preferably comparable to or less than the characteristic relaxation time and is adjusted to allow for a correlation between two measurements.

Abstract: Methods for suppressing noise in measurements by correlating functions based on at least two different measurements of a system at two different times. In one embodiment, a measurement operation is performed on at least a portion of a system that has a memory. A property of the system is measured during a first measurement period to produce a first response indicative of a first state of the system. Then the property of the system is measured during a second measurement period to produce a second response indicative of a second state of the system. The second measurement is performed after an evolution duration subsequent to the first measurement period when the system still retains a degree of memory of an aspect of the first state. Next, a first function of the first response is combined with a second function of the second response to form a second-order correlation function. Information of the system is then extracted from the second-order correlation function.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for detection of spectra of internal transitions via ion cyclotron resonance techniques. Details of ion containment in a Penning trap and coupling of spin to spatial motions by the addition of a magnetic bottle field are described in both calssical and quantum mechanical formalisms. The invention alters the axial motion of a single ion with a train of spin flips and monitors magnetic resonance through changes in the cyclotron frequency. Detection of such a signal for a single ion (or a small cloud) provides a sensitivity increase of ten to twenty orders of magnitude over conventional magnetic resonance techniques.

Abstract: A method for studying the chemical and structural characteristics of materials is disclosed. The method includes placement of a sample material in a high strength polarizing magnetic field to order the sample nucleii. The condition used to order the sample is then removed abruptly and the ordering of the sample allowed to evolve for a time interval. At the end of the time interval, the ordering of the sample is measured by conventional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques.