Chapter 5: Large Volume and Continuous Flow Hyperpolarization

We describe the principle of operation, design implementation, and initial performance of a high production xenon-129 polarizing system. The polarizer is built on the concept of counterflow-polarizing using a high-power spectrally-narrowed laser, a multi-channel copper column, and a dynamic cryo-accumulation system. We present a general description of the implemented system with focus on the key components. Polarization values of up to 60% in the delivery dose Tedlar bags were observed at a clinical site where human lung imaging studies are performed. More than 700 litres of xenon were polarized for human lung imaging experiments at a single imaging site over a two year period.