Macroscopic production of highly nuclear-spin-polarized molecules from IR-excitation and photodissociation of molecular beams

• Published in: Chemical physics letters Vol. 784; p. 139092
• Main Authors: Kannis, C.S., Rakitzis, T.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2021
• Subjects: IR excitation; Molecular beams; Molecular hyperpolarization; Nuclear-spin-polarized molecules; Photodissociation; 99-00; 00-01; Molecular hyperpolarization; IR excitation; Nuclear-spin-polarized molecules; Molecular beams; Photodissociation
• ISSN: 0009-2614; 1873-4448
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2021.139092

[Display omitted] •Spin-polarized molecules from IR-excitation and photodissociation of molecular beams.•Projected production rates much higher than conventional spin-separation methods.•Macroscopic spin-polarized molecules enhance NMR signals and fusion cross sections. Pure, highly nuclear-spin-polarized molecules have only been produced with molecular beam-separation methods, with production rates up to ∼3×1012 s−1. Here, we propose the production of spin-polarized molecular photofragments from the IR-excitation and photodissociation of molecular beams, with production rates approaching the tabletop-IR-laser photon fluxes of 1021 s−1. We give details on the production of spin-polarized molecular hydrogen and water isotopes, from formaldehyde and formic acid beams, respectively. Macroscopic quantities of these molecules are important for NMR signal enhancement, and for the needs of a nuclear fusion reactor, to increase the D-T or D-3He unpolarized nuclear fusion cross section by ∼50%.