Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

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Solid State NMR

Probes for solid-state NMR have the ability to spin samples very rapidly at theÌýmagic angle. Spinning frequencies
up to 23KHz are possible with the probes in our facility.

  • High-Resolution solid-state NMR relies upon the ability to rapidly rotate the sample about theÌýmagic angleÌýof 54.7356 degrees, relative to the magnetic field. If spinning is faster than the inherent line-broadening mechanisms in the solid (primarily dipolar coupling and Chemical Shift Anisotropy, or CSA), then the these interactions disappear (for spin I=1/2 nuclei).
  • Samples are loaded into a small, ceramic rotor, with sealed caps on both ends (see photo, lower left).
  • The rotor is inserted into the stator assembly (see photo, upper left). Compressed air (or nitrogen) passes through tiny holes to float the sample on a bearing of air. The drive holes are visible in the photo the the left (top), which pass air over the drive-flutes on the cap (shown in lower photo).
  • The solid-state NMR probes are engineered to handle much higher radiofrequency (Rf) power, which is required to excite and decouple the frequency bandwidths necessary for solid-state NMR.