High-accuracy liquid-sample $\beta$-NMR setup at ISOLDE

TL;DR

This paper presents a high-accuracy liquid-sample $eta$-NMR setup at ISOLDE, featuring advanced magnetic field stabilization, improved homogeneity, and efficient sample exchange, enabling precise studies of nuclear magnetization and bio-chemicals.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel liquid-sample $eta$-NMR system with enhanced magnetic stability, homogeneity, and sample handling, advancing the application of $eta$-NMR in biological and chemical research.

Findings

Magnetic field stabilized to ppm level.

Magnetic homogeneity improved to ≤ 5 ppm.

Sample exchange time reduced by a factor of five.

Abstract

Recently there has been an increased interest to apply the sensitive $\beta$-decay asymmetry detected nuclear magnetic resonance ($\beta$-NMR) technique to biological studies. A liquid-sample $\beta$-NMR setup was build at ISOLDE to allow such investigations and to use the resolution gain of liquid-state NMR in nuclear physics. As part of this setup a magnetic field locking system, a set of printed circuit board shimming coils, a sample exchange system, a set of compact $\beta$-detectors and a custom experimental vacuum chamber were developed. The main magnetic field was stabilized down to the ppm level by the locking system while allowing the direct determination of the absolute magnetic field. The homogeneity of the magnetic field was improved to $\leq$~5~ppm over the sample volume by the shimming coils. Time spent on changing samples was reduced by a factor of five by the liquid sample exchange system. During experiments it was possible to continuously observe the liquid sample thanks to the custom chamber and compact $\beta$-detectors. The absolute field determination allows for a novel way to reference $\beta$-NMR measurements, removing the need for time consuming reference measurements. The improved accuracy and resolution resulting from these innovations allows the study of the distribution of nuclear magnetization and (bio)chemicals using high-accuracy liquid-sample $\beta$-NMR.