Zero- to ultralow-field nuclear magnetic resonance and its applications

TL;DR

Zero- to ultralow-field NMR uses sensitive atomic magnetometers to detect nuclear signals in very low magnetic fields, offering a portable, cost-effective alternative to traditional high-field NMR with diverse scientific applications.

Contribution

This review summarizes recent advances in ZULF NMR principles, methods, experimental and theoretical developments, and explores its broad applications and future potential.

Findings

ZULF NMR enables high-resolution spectroscopy at low magnetic fields.

It has applications in chemistry, biology, medicine, and fundamental physics.

Recent developments improve sensitivity and expand application scope.

Abstract

As a complementary analysis tool to conventional high-field NMR, zero- to ultralow-field (ZULF) NMR detects nuclear magnetization signals in the sub-microtesla regime. Spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) atomic magnetometers provide a new generation of sensitive detector for ZULF NMR. Due to the features such as low-cost, high-resolution and potability, ZULF NMR has recently attracted considerable attention in chemistry, biology, medicine, and tests of fundamental physics. This review describes the basic principles, methodology and recent experimental and theoretical development of ZULF NMR, as well as its applications in spectroscopy, quantum control, imaging, NMR-based quantum devices, and tests of fundamental physics. The future prospects of ZULF NMR are also discussed.