OPTICAL-PUMPING IN SOLID-STATE NUCLEAR-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE

An important current trend in solid state nuclear magnetic resonance ( NMR) is the growing exploitation of optical pumping of nuclear spin po larizations as a means of enhancing and localizing NMR signals. Recent work has been concentrated in two areas, namely optically pumped NMR in semiconductors and optical pumping of noble gases. Progress in thes e two areas, including technical developments and new applications in physical chemistry, condensed matter physics, and biomedical sciences, is reviewed. Likely directions for future developments are suggested.