Optimal enhancement of the Overhauser and Solid Effects within a unified framework

TL;DR

This paper introduces a unified quantum master equation framework that explains and optimizes the Overhauser and Solid effects in dynamic nuclear polarization, revealing optimal drive conditions for maximum enhancement.

Contribution

It presents a novel unified theoretical approach using a quantum master equation to explain and optimize both OE and SE in DNP techniques.

Findings

Predicts optimal microwave drive amplitudes for maximum OE and SE enhancement

Identifies optimal electron-nuclear coupling regimes for maximal polarization

Provides a comprehensive model unifying liquids and solids DNP mechanisms

Abstract

The Overhauser effect (OE) and the Solid effect (SE) are two Dynamic Nuclear Polarization techniques. These two-spin techniques are widely used to create nonequilibrium nuclear spin states having polarization far beyond its equilibrium value. OE is commonly encountered in liquids, and SE is a solid-state technique. Here, we report a single framework based on a recently proposed quantum master equation, to explain both OE and SE. To this end, we use a fluctuation-regularized quantum master equation that predicts dipolar relaxation and drive-induced dissipation, in addition to the standard environmental dissipation channels. Importantly, this unified approach predicts the existence of optimal microwave drive amplitudes that maximize the OE and SE enhancements. We also report optimal enhancement regime for electron-nuclear coupling for maximal enhancement.