Reduction of magnetic field fluctuations in powered magnets for NMR using inductive measurements and sampled-data feedback control

Resistive and hybrid (resistive/superconducting) magnets provide substantially higher magnetic fields than those available in low-temperature superconducting magnets, but their relatively low spatial homogeneity and temporal field fluctuations are unacceptable for high resolution NMR. While several techniques for reducing temporal fluctuations have demonstrated varying degrees of success, this paper restricts attention to methods that utilize inductive measurements and feedback control to actively cancel the temporal fluctuations. In comparison to earlier studies using analog proportional control, this paper shows that shaping the controller frequency response results in significantly higher reductions in temporal fluctuations. Measurements of temporal fluctuation spectra and the frequency response of the instrumentation that cancels the temporal fluctuations guide the controller design. In particular, we describe a sampled-data phase-lead-lag controller that utilizes the internal model principle to selectively attenuate magnetic field fluctuations caused by the power supply ripple. We present a quantitative comparison of the attenuation in temporal fluctuations afforded by the new design and a proportional control design. Metrics for comparison include measurements of the temporal fluctuations using Faraday induction and observations of the effect that the fluctuations have on nuclear resonance measurements.     

Analysis of RF heating and sample stability in aligned static solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Sample instability during solid-state NMR experiments frequently arises due to RF heating in aligned samples of hydrated lipid bilayers. A new, simple approach for estimating sample temperature is used to show that, at 9.4 T, sample heating depends mostly on (1)H decoupling power rather than on (15)N irradiation in PISEMA experiments. Such heating for different sample preparations, including lipid composition, salt concentration and hydration level was assessed and the hydration level was found to be the primary parameter correlated with sample heating. The contribution to RF heating from the dielectric loss appears to be dominant under our experimental conditions. The heat generated by a single scan was approximately calculated from the Q values of the probe, to be a 1.7 degrees C elevation per single pulse sequence iteration under typical sample conditions. The steady-state sample temperature during PISEMA experiments can be estimated based on the method presented here, which correlates the loss factor with the temperature rise induced by the RF heating of the sample.     

Luttinger liquid at the edge of undoped graphene in a strong magnetic field

We demonstrate that an undoped two-dimensional carbon plane (graphene) whose bulk is in the integer quantum Hall regime supports a nonchiral Luttinger liquid at an armchair edge. This behavior arises due to the unusual dispersion of the noninteracting edge states, causing a crossing of bands with different valley and spin indices at the edge. We demonstrate that this stabilizes a domain wall structure with a spontaneously ordered phase degree of freedom. This coherent domain wall supports gapless charged excitations, and has a power law tunneling I-V with a nonintegral exponent. In proximity to a bulk lead, the edge may undergo a quantum phase transition between the Luttinger liquid phase and a metallic state.     

Solution of the BGK model kinetic equation for very hard particle interaction

We study the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook model kinetic equation with a velocity-dependent collision frequency. We derive the conditions that must be verified in order to keep the main physical properties of the Boltzmann equation, i.e.,H-theorem and conservation laws. The particular case of the so-called VHP interaction is considered, and the resulting kinetic equation is solved for a homogeneous and isotropic gas. Overpopulation phenomena are observed and analyzed for some kinds of initial conditions. The results are compared, where possible, with the exact solution of the Boltzmann equation.     

Conformational and substituent effects in the 19F spectra of C7-C10 straight-chain chlorofluoroalkanes

One- and two-dimensional fluorine NMR spectra of straight-chain chlorofluoroalkanes having 7-10 carbons were obtained and interpreted. Spectral assignments were based primarily on indirect spin-spin correlations. A scale of chlorine substituent effects was developed. The effects of asymmetric CFCl centers on chemical-shift differences in nearby CF2 groups were analyzed in terms of molecular conformational effects. Spin-spin coupling patterns of CF3 groups were elucidated.