Distant dipolar fields in laser-polarized gases on macroscopic scales.

Distant dipolar fields among nuclear spins on macroscopic scales in the gas phase are reported for the first time. Their observation via interatomic multiple quantum coherences requires high nuclear spin polarization corresponding to spin temperatures of a few mK, which is generated in laser-polarized 3He, and proper control of the gas diffusion through a heavier buffer gas. This combination of physics at low and ambient temperatures opens up new ways of studying the relative translational diffusion of atoms and of gas diffusion in structures with a large range of length scales.

Spin echo formation in the presence of stochastic dynamics.

Spin echo formation in magnetic field gradients in the presence of fast stochastic motion is studied for hyperpolarized 3He gas at different diffusivities. The fast translational motion leads to frequency shifts already during echo formation, which can be described analytically for a linear gradient. Despite complete signal loss at the position of the spin echo itself, considerable intensity can be preserved at an earlier time (sqrt[2]tau rather than 2tau, where tau is the pulse delay). Hence, the phenomenon is designated as a pseudo spin echo.