Abstract
We have optically polarized the nuclear spin of xenon atoms using a frequency-narrowed high-power laser-diode. The free-induction signals of polarized xenon in gas and liquid phases were measured in a magnetic field of less than 3 mT. The polarized xenon plays the role of a probe atom sensitive to the local environment. For example, we could detect the atoms, selectively, on or below the surface of liquid ethanol utilizing chemical shift imaging. The free-induction signal is so large that we can track the polarized xenon atoms dissolving into liquid ethanol through its surface. We also observed the spin-polarization of protons of ethanol transferred from polarized xenon.
