Major Ideas
1) The key physical idea explored in this experiment is the phenomenon of magnetic resonance. In a nutshell, describe the physics behind magnetic resonance. Things to consider: Larmor frequency, magnetic moment, gyromagnetic ratio, energy levels, free induction decay (FID), etc.
2) There are two types of measurements to be done in this experiment: T1 (Spin-Lattice Relaxation Time) and T2 (Spin-Spin Relaxation Time). Describe these two relaxation times and what physics is happening in the sample to give rise to these two different relaxation times. In other words, what mechanisms are at play?
“Novel” Types of Instrumentation and/or Experimental Methods
1) This experiment is called Pulsed NMR Spectroscopy. Why pulsed? What does a 90o pulse do? 180o pulse? Why is this technique “novel"?
2) Both the T1 and T2 measurements involve a repeated two pulse sequence. Why? What is the purpose of the delay time (τ) in between pulses. Why is the pulse-delay time sequence different for the T1 and T2 measurements?
Important Approaches to Analyzing and Presenting/Drawing Conclusions from the Data
1) What are the Bloch equations? How are they used in the analysis of your NMR data?
2) The Period between sequences needs to be “long enough” – about 10 times the relaxation time to get meaningful results. Why?
All the pre-lab requirements, experimental procedures, and post-lab requirements are listed in the Appendix of the PDF file below.
The body of the PDF file is an introduction to the T1 (spin-lattice) measurement plus some prelab questions.
The Jupyter notebook below outlines the T1 analysis using Python.
So:
1) The body of the pdf is a "must" read introduction to NMR. Prelab questions included.
2) Appendix 7.1 is "rubric" for what students need to know before they can touch the equipment.
3) Appendix 7.2 is the "rubric" for what's expected at the oral. Notebook, powerpoint, and oral "requirements."
4) Appendix 7.3 is a reference for the procedure students will follow in the lab.
5) Appendix 7.4 is "Conceptual Introduction" to NMR, for reference.
6) Appendix 7.5 is a more detailed "Theory" for reference.