The rotor assisted population transfer (RAPT) sequence is used to enhance the sensitivity of the RIACT(II) experiment for spin-3/2 quadrupolar nuclei. A detailed theoretical analysis of the polarizations that contribute to different types of MQ-MAS experiments is provided. In particular, two polarization pathways are distinguished for the creation of triple-quantum coherence. The existence of these pathways is experimentally demonstrated by comparing the sensitivities of different sequences with and without RAPT preparation. (C) 2001 Academic Press.