The production of hyperpolarized xenon by means of spin exchange optical pumping (SEOP) is described. This method yields a ~10000-fold enhancement of the nuclear spin polarization of Xe-129 and has applications in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging. Examples of gas phase and solution state experiments are given.
Witte, C., Kunth, M., Döpfert, J., Rossella, F., Schröder, L. Hyperpolarized Xenon for NMR and MRI Applications. J. Vis. Exp. (67), e4268, doi:10.3791/4268 (2012).