Abstract: A sample polarization system comprises an input stage that includes a sample input port configured and arranged to receive and to provide a sample molecule carrier, and cool the sample molecule carrier from a first temperature to a second temperature as it travels along a length of the input stage, and provides the sample molecule carrier at a input stage output. A closed volume having an interior receives the sample molecule carrier from the input stage output and holds a plurality of sample molecule carriers in the high magnetic field created by a magnet adjacent to the closed volume, and outputs the sample molecule carrier from a closed volume output port.

Abstract: A method of providing a material sample in a state favorable to retaining spin polarization includes cooling a material sample from a temperature above a freezing point of the material sample down to a second temperature below the freezing point of the material sample; maintaining the sample at about the second temperature for a period of about several hours; and reducing temperature of the material sample to a third temperature lower than the second temperature to provide the material sample in a state favorable to retaining spin polarization, where the steps of cooling, maintaining and reducing are performed in the absence of an adulterant material. The method of providing a sample of pyruvic acid in a state favorable to retaining spin polarization may include cooling the sample of pyruvic acid in the absence of an adulterant material from a temperature above a freezing point of the sample of pyruvic acid down to less than about 200 Kelvin to provide the sample.

Abstract: A sample polarization system comprises an input stage that includes a sample input port configured and arranged to receive and to provide a sample molecule carrier, and cool the sample molecule carrier from a first temperature to a second temperature as it travels along a length of the input stage, and provides the sample molecule carrier at a input stage output. A closed volume having an interior receives the sample molecule carrier from the input stage output and holds a plurality of sample molecule carriers in the high magnetic field created by a magnet adjacent to the closed volume, and outputs the sample molecule carrier from a closed volume output port. An output stage that includes an output stage input receives the sample molecule carrier from the closed volume output port and warms the sample molecule carrier as it travels from the output stage input to an output stage output to provide a hyperpolarized sample molecule.

Abstract: A method of providing a material sample in a state favorable to retaining spin polarization includes cooling a material sample from a temperature above a freezing point of the material sample down to a second temperature below the freezing point of the material sample; maintaining the sample at about the second temperature for a period of about several hours; and reducing temperature of the material sample to a third temperature lower than the second temperature to provide the material sample in a state favorable to retaining spin polarization, where the steps of cooling, maintaining and reducing are performed in the absence of an adulterant material. The method of providing a sample of pyruvic acid in a state favorable to retaining spin polarization may include cooling the sample of pyruvic acid in the absence of an adulterant material from a temperature above a freezing point of the sample of pyruvic acid down to less than about 200 Kelvin to provide the sample.