Near-zero-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has become a rapidly developing spectroscopic and imaging method, providing promising opportunities for portable diagnostics and fast chemical analysis. A key technology is the atomic magnetometer, and its ongoing improvements have sparked growing interest in potential clinical applications.
The near-zero-field NMR has long been limited by weak signal strength, but recent developments in the hyperpolarization method have provided an effective solution to this problem. Dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (dDNP), parahydrogen-based polarization schemes (PHIP/SABRE), chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (CIDNP), and spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) have all demonstrated preliminary feasibility in this context.
By combining such hyperpolarization strategies with near-zero-field detection, strong signals can be obtained without the need of traditional high-field magnets. This capability opens new pathways for applying near-zero-field NMR to both chemical sensing and biomedical imaging, enabling compact tools for rapid analysis and diagnostic applications. Here, we review the recent progress of the intersection of near-zero-field NMR and hyperpolarization techniques.