Production of hyperpolarized H_{2} molecules from H[over →] atoms in gas-storage cells.

The preservation of the nuclear polarization of hydrogen atoms during the recombination to molecules was observed on different surface materials in the temperature range from 45 to 100 K and for magnetic fields up to 1 T. On a gold and a fused quartz surface, the expected molecular polarization of about 50% or lower of the atomic polarization was measured, while a surface layer of perfluoropolyether (Fomblin) shows a nearly complete preservation (at least 97%) of the atomic polarization during the recombination process. Further experiments have the possibility of storing polarized deuterium molecules and to use them in nuclear-fusion installations.

Measurement of the nuclear polarization of hydrogen and deuterium molecules using a Lamb-shift polarimeter.

Lamb-shift polarimeters are used to measure the nuclear polarization of protons and deuterons at energies of a few keV. In combination with an ionizer, the polarization of hydrogen and deuterium atoms was determined after taking into account the loss of polarization during the ionization process. The present work shows that the nuclear polarization of hydrogen or deuterium molecules can be measured as well, by ionizing the molecules and injecting the H2(+) (or D2(+)) ions into the Lamb-shift polarimeter.