Fast nuclear spin hyperpolarization of phosphorus in silicon

We experimentally demonstrate a method for obtaining nuclear spin hyperpolarization, that is, polarization significantly in excess of that expected at thermal equilibrium. By exploiting a nonequilibrium Overhauser process, driven by white light irradiation, we obtain more than 68% negative nuclear polarization of phosphorus donors in silicon. This polarization is reached with a time constant of approximately 150 sec, at a temperature of 1.37 K and a magnetic field of 8.5 T. The ability to obtain such large polarizations is discussed with regards to its significance for quantum information processing and magnetic resonance imaging.