Quantum-enhanced MRI Sensitivity: Dissolution-dynamic Nuclear and Parahydrogen-induced Polarization

Abstract

Contemporarily, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been widely utilized in medical diagnostic. Among various features, the signal intensities serve as the key role in resolution of the detection results. In general, the MRI signal intensities can be substantially increased by several orders of magnitude via dissolution-dynamic nuclear polarization (d-DNP) and parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP). This study exhibits the general principles and components of the preparation of these two methods, as well as illustrates the current applications and limitations of d-DNP and PHIP both theoretically and analytically. The experimental conditions, including temperature, magnetic field strength, and whether microwave irradiation is required, are described and contrasted. According to the analysis, the advantages and drawbacks of these two approaches have been compared, along with expectations and outlooks of the future development of quantum-enhanced MRI techniques, in terms of the MRI signal sensitivity. Overall, these results shed light on guiding further exploration of enhancing the resolution of MRI.