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Abstract:
Overhauser Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (ODNP) is a hyperpolarization method for magnetic resonance measurements. The polarization of free radicals is transferred to 1H using HF pulses, thus enhancing the 1H signal. Only at UltraLow Fields (ULF) below 10 mT the corresponding HF pulse frequencies are low enough to penetrate large sample volumes, making continuous in vivo hyperpolarization possible. Since conventional Faraday coils are not sensitive enough at ULF, a SQUID-based detector is employed as the centerpiece of the ULF-MRI Scanner. With a superconducting second order gradiometric pickup coil the SQUID enables measurements with a sensitivity below 1 fT/√Hz. First proof-of-principle ex vivo images using ODNP enhanced, SQUID based ULF-MRI have been acquired successfully. This is an important step in the direction of a combined ULF MRI and magnetoencephalography system.
