Introduction

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is the result of placing atomic nuclei in a strong magnetic field, and perturbing it with a weak oscillating magnetic field. The intrinsic spin of the nucleus would normally be aligned with the strong field, since that’s the lowest energy state available. The oscillating magnetic field, applied at a resonant frequency, perturbs the nuclear spin away from the strong field. The nuclear spin precesses around the strong magnetic field at the Larmor frequency and radiate energy as they return to alignment with the strong field. The value of the Larmor frequency depends on the local magnetic field, making NMR a useful tool for imaging bulk material with varying density, such as in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

    There is no recorded video for this experiment to watch.

    The manual for this experiment (which can be found here) has four parts:

1. An introduction that explains the history and physics of pulsed NMR – The explanations of the magnetic fields and how they result in the signal you measure is VERY important. Figures 1.7 and 1.8 are VERY important to understand. They kind of go overboard with the equations here. Focus more on understanding the physics processes that are happening, and less on the equations right now.
2. An explanation of the workings of the instrument used in this experiment. There are a few details here that would be useful, but most of it isn’t necessary to do the experiment. Move on to the ‘Getting Started’ section and refer back here if there is an instrument detail that isn’t clear.
3. An introductory experiment, with details of the NMR signals you should be seeing. In your time in the lab, you’ll do sections C1-C3 and D1-D2b. If you have time at the end of your lab session, then you can attempt D2c
4. A list of experiments one could perform with this apparatus for a term project or something.

    The front panel of the instrument is shown in Figure 1. Using the little knobs to move through the menu options can be frustrating. As you do the experiment, make sure that you really are changing the parameter that you think you are.