Magnetic resonance imaging of hyperpolarized Xe129 produced by spin exchange with diode-laser pumped Cs

We report the results of experiments leading to the production of an image of a polarized Xe129 sample prepared by spin exchange with Cs, optically pumped with a spectrally narrowed 894.3 nm diode laser. Representative images of the average electron spin polarization are shown. Appreciable cesium electron polarization values were achieved, and a nuclear polarization of about 2.5% was measured for Xe129 The absolute nuclear polarization was measured by water-calibrated free induction decay of the nuclear magnetic resonance signal, and the polarized xenon imaged using a 2 T magnetic resonance imaging system.