A method of carrying out DNP on a sample with a molecular structure
containing at least two J-coupled non-integer spin nuclear species, the
method comprising hyperpolarizing the sample in a cooled, solid form
while it is exposed to a homogeneous magnetic field of suitable strength;
dissolving or melting the hyperpolarized sample; subjecting the sample to
a polarization holding RF pulse sequence while the sample is exposed to a
suitably homogeneous magnetic field of sufficient strength to ensure the
spin's chemical shift is greater than the J-coupling, the pulse sequence
causing the nuclear spin populations in the sample to be re-distributed
between a plurality of energy levels in a non-equilibrium manner; and
then, following a time less than the T1, relaxation time constant of the
molecular species, causing the nuclear spin populations to transfer
adiabatically to stable, equilibrium levels.