Abstract: A method for the preparation of a hyperpolarized solution of molecules comprises the steps: 1) suspending or coating of a micro-particulate matrix, which is comprising or consisting of the molecules, with a glass-forming solution or suspension comprising a DNP-suitable polarizing agent at a first temperature at which the micro-particulate matrix is not dissolving; 2) lowering the temperature leading to a frozen glassy DNP sample; 3) transferring the electron spin polarization of the polarizing agent in the glassy sample in a magnetic field to abundant nuclear spins of the glass-forming solution or suspension and/or the polarizing agent as well as to abundant nuclear spins of the molecules and cross-polarization from the abundant nuclear spins in the molecules to one different nuclear spin type in the molecules; and 4) increasing the temperature and dissolving the molecules which are hyperpolarized with respect of the different nuclear spins.

Abstract: A method for producing a hyperpolarized sample for use in a magnetic resonance investigation has the following steps: a) providing a solid sample (50), containing long T1 nuclei and short T1 nuclei in the same molecules (51); b) hyperpolarizing the short T1 nuclei in the solid sample (50); c) transforming the solid sample (50) into a liquid sample (52); and d) transferring the polarization of the short T1 nuclei to the long T1 nuclei within the molecules in the liquid sample (52) by Cross Polarization. The method can provide samples with hyperpolarized long T1 nuclei, in particular 13C or 15N, in a simple and efficient way.

Abstract: A method for producing hyperpolarized sample material for use in magnetic resonance investigations involves preparing a target material containing high ? nuclei with a short T1, a polarizing agent with a broad EPR line, and low ? nuclei with a long T1. The polarizing agent in the target material is irradiated with microwave radiation, wherein the target material is at a cryogenic temperature and exposed to a static magnetic field B0?4.0 T, thus polarizing the high ? nuclei by DNP, and the polarization is transferred from the high ? nuclei to the low ? nuclei by Cross Polarization. A dissolved sample material is prepared containing the hyperpolarized low ? nuclei from the target material. Nuclei with a long longitudinal relaxation time T1 can thereby be quickly hyperpolarized to a high polarization level.

Abstract: A method for high resolution NMR (=nuclear magnetic resonance) measurements using the application of excitation pulses and the acquisition of data points, whereby a dwell time ?t separates the acquisition of two consecutive data points, which is characterized in that one or more tickling rf (=radio frequency) pulses of duration ?p are applied within each dwell time ?t, and that the average rf field amplitude of each of the tickling rf pulses approximately fulfills the condition ?1=?1?p/?t=?J wherein J is the scalar J-coupling constant and ?1=?B1 with ? being the gyromagnetic ratio and B1 being the strength of the magnetic component of each tickling rf pulse. This method is effective in decoupling homonuclear couplings.

Abstract: A method for performing magnetic resonance spectroscopy on solid samples containing nuclei of interest with spin quantum number I subjects the sample to a static magnetic field. The sample is spun at the magic angle and broad-band excitation of transverse magnetization of the nuclei of interest is effected by applying a first train of rotor-synchronized rf-pulses, having a carrier frequency, to the nuclei of interest with a pulse duration 0.1 ?s<?p<2 ?s, the first train of rf-pulses comprising k·n pulses extending over k rotor periods ?rot with n pulses per rotor period ?rot, wherein n is an integer n>1. Uniform excitation of a great number of spinning sidebands or families of sidebands that arise from large first-order quadrupole or hyperfine interactions is enabled and signal intensity is thereby improved.

Abstract: A method for producing a hyperpolarized sample for use in a magnetic resonance investigation has the following steps: a) providing a solid sample (50), containing long T1 nuclei and short T1 nuclei in the same molecules (51); b) hyperpolarizing the short T1 nuclei in the solid sample (50); c) transforming the solid sample (50) into a liquid sample (52); and d) transferring the polarization of the short T1 nuclei to the long T1 nuclei within the molecules in the liquid sample (52) by Cross Polarization. The method can provide samples with hyperpolarized long T1 nuclei, in particular 13C or 15N, in a simple and efficient way.

Abstract: A method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of a sample involves excitation of long lived coherences (LLC) between the singlet state S0 and the central triplet state T0 of nuclei of the sample by initiating irradiation of the sample with an rf-field with carrier frequency ?rf; sustaining of the LLC by maintaining the rf-irradiation during an interval ?2; converting the LLC temporarily into observable magnetization by interrupting the rf-irradiation during an observation interval ?3; detecting NMR-signals during the observation interval ?3 and reconversion of the observable magnetization back into LLC after the observation interval ?3. These steps are repeated n times, wherein n is a positive integer. The method allows ultra high-resolution spectra of long-lived coherences to be obtained.

Abstract: A method for sample preparation for magnetic resonance measurements using Hyperpolarization by Dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization, involves preparation of frozen beads of a first kind containing paramagnetic substances in addition to the solute under investigation; insertion of the frozen beads into a polarizing magnet; creation of enhanced polarization of nuclei in a magnetic field; heating of the sample to room temperature; transfer of the sample to an MR magnet; and carrying out an MR measurement. In addition, frozen beads of a second kind containing a reducing agent are prepared and inserted into the polarization magnet together with the frozen beads of the first kind. By this method, longitudinal and transverse relaxation times in NMR are extended and free radicals in hyperpolarized solutions are eliminated.

Abstract: A method for producing hyperpolarized sample material for use in magnetic resonance investigations involves preparing a target material containing high ? nuclei with a short T1, a polarizing agent with a broad EPR line, and low ? nuclei with a long T1. The polarizing agent in the target material is irradiated with microwave radiation, wherein the target material is at a cryogenic temperature and exposed to a static magnetic field B0?4.0 T, thus polarizing the high ? nuclei by DNP, and the polarization is transferred from the high ? nuclei to the low ? nuclei by Cross Polarization. A dissolved sample material is prepared containing the hyperpolarized low ? nuclei from the target material. Nuclei with a long longitudinal relaxation time T1 can thereby be quickly hyperpolarized to a high polarization level.

Abstract: A method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements, includes creation of enhanced polarization of nuclei of a first kind within a sample in a magnetic field at cryogenic temperatures and transfer of the polarized sample to room temperature. The enhanced polarization of nuclei of the first kind is thereby transformed into long-lived states (LLS) of nuclei of a second kind and these LLS are sustained. The LLS is at least partially converted into observable magnetization and an NMR or MRI measurement is carried out. The method allows one to extend the time needed between hyperpolarized magnetization and NMR detection.

Abstract: A method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of a sample comprises preparation of the sample and carrying out an NMR spectroscopy measurement. Preparation includes excitation of long lived coherences (LLC) between the singlet state S0 and the central triplet state T0 of nuclei of the sample. The thermal equilibrium Boltzmann distribution (Iz+Sz) is thereby transformed into a difference (Iz?Sz), which is flipped to the transverse plane, and irradiation of the sample with an rf-field is initiated. The LLC is sustained by maintaining the rf-irradiation during an interval t1 and the LLC is converted into observable magnetisation by interrupting the rf-irradiation. The method allows nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements with improved spectral resolution.

Abstract: A method for high resolution NMR (=nuclear magnetic resonance) measurements using the application of excitation pulses and the acquisition of data points, whereby a dwell time ?t separates the acquisition of two consecutive data points, which is characterized in that one or more tickling rf (=radio frequency) pulses of duration ?p are applied within each dwell time ?t, and that the average rf field amplitude of each of the tickling rf pulses approximately fulfills the condition ?1=?1?p/?t=?J wherein J is the scalar J-coupling constant and ?1=?B1 with ? being the gyromagnetic ratio and B1 being the strength of the magnetic component of each tickling rf pulse. This method is effective in decoupling homonuclear couplings.

Abstract: A method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of a sample involves excitation of long lived coherences (LLC) between the singlet state S0 and the central triplet state T0 of nuclei of the sample by initiating irradiation of the sample with an rf-field with carrier frequency ?rf; sustaining of the LLC by maintaining the rf-irradiation during an interval ?2; converting the LLC temporarily into observable magnetisation by interrupting the rf-irradiation during an observation interval ?3; detecting NMR-signals during the observation interval ?3 and reconversion of the observable magnetisation back into LLC after the observation interval ?3. These steps are repeated n times, wherein n is a positive integer. The method allows ultra high-resolution spectra of long-lived coherences to be obtained.

Abstract: A method for heteronuclear decoupling in fast magic-angle spinning NMR measurements comprises application of a decoupling RF-pulse sequence with a decoupling-field amplitude ?1I on spins of a first nucleus and of an excitation pulse on spins of a second nucleus, the sequence comprising m blocks of pulses, with m?4, each block comprising an N-fold repetition of a pair of pulses with pulse width ?p and phases whereby ?p is equal for all pulses, whereby the phase of the pulse pair of the (i+1)-th block is inverted with respect to the pulse pair of the i-th block, with i=1 . . . m?1 and i is an odd number, whereby the pulses within each pair are phase inverted, whereby a phase shift is carried out after each j-th block, with j is an even number. The efficiency of the inventive method compares favorably with CW, TPPM, SPINAL and XiX decoupling methods at medium and high RF amplitudes, particularly under rotary resonance conditions.

Abstract: A method for performing magnetic resonance spectroscopy on solid samples containing nuclei of interest with spin quantum number I subjects the sample to a static magnetic field. The sample is spun at the magic angle and broad-band excitation of transverse magnetization of the nuclei of interest is effected by applying a first train of rotor-synchronized rf-pulses, having a carrier frequency, to the nuclei of interest with a pulse duration 0.1 ?s<?p<2 ?s, the first train of rf-pulses comprising k·n pulses extending over k rotor periods ?rot with n pulses per rotor period ?rot, wherein n is an integer n>1. Uniform excitation of a great number of spinning sidebands or families of sidebands that arise from large first-order quadrupole or hyperfine interactions is enabled and signal intensity is thereby improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). NMR experiments are usually carried out in homogeneous magnetic fields. In many cases however, the inherent heterogeneity of the samples or living organisms under investigation, and the poor homogeneity of the magnets (particularly when bulky samples must be placed outside their bores), make it virtually impossible to obtain high-resolution spectra. Unstable power supplies and vibrations arising from cooling can lead to field fluctuations in time as well as space. Here it is shown how high-resolution NMR spectra can be obtained in inhomogeneous fields with unknown spatiotemporal variations. The method of the invention, based on coherence transfer between spins, can accommodate spatial inhomogeneities of at least 11 G/cm and temporal fluctuations slower than 2 Hz.

Abstract: A method for sample preparation for magnetic resonance measurements using Hyperpolarization by Dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization, involves preparation of frozen beads of a first kind containing paramagnetic substances in addition to the solute under investigation; insertion of the frozen beads into a polarizing magnet; creation of enhanced polarization of nuclei in a magnetic field; heating of the sample to room temperature; transfer of the sample to an MR magnet; and carrying out an MR measurement. In addition, frozen beads of a second kind containing a reducing agent are prepared and inserted into the polarization magnet together with the frozen beads of the first kind. By this method, longitudinal and transverse relaxation times in NMR are extended and free radicals in hyperpolarized solutions are eliminated.

Abstract: A method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements, includes creation of enhanced polarization of nuclei of a first kind within a sample in a magnetic field at cryogenic temperatures and transfer of the polarised sample to room temperature. The enhanced polarization of nuclei of the first kind is thereby transformed into long-lived states (LLS) of nuclei of a second kind and these LLS are sustained. The LLS is at least partially converted into observable magnetisation and an NMR or MRI measurement is carried out. The method allows one to extend the time needed between hyperpolarised magnetisation and NMR detection.

Abstract: A method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of a sample comprises preparation of the sample and carrying out an NMR spectroscopy measurement. Preparation includes excitation of long lived coherences (LLC) between the singlet state S0 and the central triplet state T0 of nuclei of the sample. The thermal equilibrium Boltzmann distribution (Iz+Sz) is thereby transformed into a difference (Iz?Sz), which is flipped to the transverse plane, and irradiation of the sample with an rf-field is initiated. The LLC is sustained by maintaining the rf-irradiation during an interval t1 and the LLC is converted into observable magnetisation by interrupting the rf-irradiation. The method allows nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements with improved spectral resolution.

Abstract: A method for heteronuclear decoupling in fast magic-angle spinning NMR measurements comprises application of a decoupling RF-pulse sequence with a decoupling-field amplitude ?1I on spins of a first nucleus and of an excitation pulse on spins of a second nucleus, the sequence comprising m blocks of pulses, with m?4, each block comprising an N-fold repetition of a pair of pulses with pulse width ?p and phases whereby ?p is equal for all pulses, whereby the phase of the pulse pair of the (i+1)-th block is inverted with respect to the pulse pair of the i-th block, with i=1 . . . m?1 and i is an odd number, whereby the pulses within each pair are phase inverted, whereby a phase shift is carried out after each j-th block, with j is an even number. The efficiency of the inventive method compares favourably with CW, TPPM, SPINAL and XiX decoupling methods at medium and high RF amplitudes, particularly under rotary resonance conditions.