Preparation, isolation, storage, and spectroscopic characterization of water vapor enriched in the ortho-H2O nuclear spin isomer

Elina Lisitsin, Chemistry, Technion, Haifa, Israel

Using magnetic focusing in a supersonic jet, a beam of “normal” H₂O molecules seeded in a krypton carrier gas is shown to provide a source of water molecules that is highly enhanced in the ortho-H₂O (o-H₂O) nuclear spin isomer over the high-temperature equilibrium 3:1 ortho:para ratio. Water from the magnetically focused beam is then isolated and stored within a Kr matrix at 13 K whereby the amplitude and lifetime of this strong nuclear spin polarization are quantified spectroscopically. Attempts to store the polarization in a colder Kr matrix reveal complex nuclear spin conversion processes.

 

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