Towards hyperpolarization of oil molecules via nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

TL;DR

This paper explores room-temperature polarization transfer from optically-pumped nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond to external molecules, aiming to enhance NMR signals without low-temperature requirements.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for hyperpolarizing organic molecules at room temperature using NV centers, supported by analytical, numerical, and experimental validation.

Findings

Successful polarization transfer demonstrated at room temperature.

Analytical and numerical models agree with experimental data.

Potential for high-resolution NMR with increased signal strength.

Abstract

Efficient polarization of organic molecules is of extraordinary relevance when performing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and imaging. Commercially available routes to dynamical nuclear polarization (DNP) work at extremely low-temperatures, thus bringing the molecules out of their ambient thermal conditions and relying on the solidification of organic samples. In this work we investigate polarization transfer from optically-pumped nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond to external molecules at room temperature. This polarization transfer is described by both an extensive analytical analysis and numerical simulations based on spin bath bosonization and is supported by experimental data in excellent agreement. These results set the route to hyperpolarization of diffusive molecules in different scenarios and consequently, due to increased signal, to high-resolution NMR.