CaltechTHESIS
  A Caltech Library Service

Hyperpolarized Gas Polarimetry and Imaging at Low Magnetic Field

Citation

Pavlin, Tina (2003) Hyperpolarized Gas Polarimetry and Imaging at Low Magnetic Field. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/7B1R-3T10. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05302003-134718

Abstract

MR imaging with polarized noble gases has shown promise in both, biomedical and material's imaging applications. Its advantage over the conventional proton MRI lies in its ability to produce high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), high-resolution images at low magnetic field strengths. In this work:

1. We implemented and studied in detail two methods for detecting hyperpolarization levels of 129Xe and 3He: NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance). The 3He NMR and EPR data allowed for a comparison of these two polarimetry methods, while 129Xe NMR and EPR data showed promise for the calibration of 129Xe EPR shifts.

2. We investigated the possibility of using a pulsed resistive low-field MR scanner for spin echo imaging of hyperpolarized gases. By collecting CPMG spin echo trains containing 4096 echoes and lasting over 30 seconds, we demonstrated a high degree of stability for the pulsed resistive low-field scanner.

3. We developed a single-shot PGSE sequence for measuring diffusion coefficients of hyperpolarized gases which removed the effects of background gradients, thus allowing a separation of the T2CPMG relaxation from diffusion-induced signal loss. The theoretical estimations of 3He and 129Xe diffusion coefficients which were based on the Lennard-Jones potential agreed well with our measured 3He and 129Xe diffusion coefficients within the experimental errors.

4. We determined the inherent T2 relaxation times of 3He and 129Xe by varying the interecho time in the conventional CPMG spin echo sequence and by modelling the functional dependence of the T2CPMG relaxation time on the interecho spacing.

5. We collected first ever 3He gradient echo images on a pulsed resistive low-field scanner. In addition, we modelled numerically the effects of flip-angle, diffusion and relaxation rates on signal decay during gradient echo imaging with hyperpolarized gases.

6. We show, with simulations and experiments, that central ordering of RARE k-space acquisition significantly reduces diffusion-induced signal loss. The 1-D RARE images of 3He show a factor of a 100 improvement in the SNR (for 1.6 mm resolution) when using centrally ordered phase-encode gradients.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Fourier Transform; k-space weighting/filtering; optical pumping; sequential k-space acquisition; spin-exchange; variable magnets
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Major Option:Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Hughes, Emlyn Willard
Thesis Committee:
  • Hughes, Emlyn Willard (chair)
  • Pine, Jerome
  • Fraser, Scott E.
  • Frautschi, Steven C.
Defense Date:20 May 2003
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-05302003-134718
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05302003-134718
DOI:10.7907/7B1R-3T10
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:2290
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:30 May 2003
Last Modified:12 Feb 2021 00:26

Thesis Files

[img]
Preview
PDF (Full thesis) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

2MB
[img]
Preview
PDF (titlepage) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

44kB
[img]
Preview
PDF (acknowledgements) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

36kB
[img]
Preview
PDF (abstract) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

61kB
[img]
Preview
PDF (table_of_contents) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

110kB
[img]
Preview
PDF (chapter1_intro) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

63kB
[img]
Preview
PDF (chapter2) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

516kB
[img]
Preview
PDF (chapter3) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

370kB
[img]
Preview
PDF (chapter4) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

595kB
[img]
Preview
PDF (chapter5) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

1MB
[img]
Preview
PDF (chapter6) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

74kB
[img]
Preview
PDF (appendix) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

119kB
[img]
Preview
PDF (bibliography) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

49kB

Repository Staff Only: item control page