Nuclear Moment Alignment, Relaxation and Detection Mechanisms.
Abstract
The reported physics research is part of an overall program to develop a nuclear magnetic resonance gyro that makes use of an optically pumped alkali metal vapor both to align the magnetic moments of the noble gas nuclei and to detect the weak magnetic fields that are generated by these precessing nuclear moments. A model for the distribution of polorization of optically pumped rubidium across a sample cell is developed. Results of the computer modeling are presented graphically for various cells as a function of cell size, incident light intensity, wall type and gas fill. A study of the effect of direct nuclear dipole-dipole interaction on surface relaxation of 129Xe is reported. Results indicate that the mechanism for 129Xe nuclear relaxation on surfaces studied is not the direct dipolar interaction and must be attributed to an electron-nucleus interaction. Studies of 129Xe relaxation on several surface types show an order of magnitude more efficient than silicone treated surfaces for relaxing xenon nuclear spins.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA131546
Entities
People
- Ann T. Nicol
- Leo Lam
- W. Boley