European Network on NMR Relaxometry

Our group is developing methods for high-resolution field-cycling NMR, which also allow one to measure NMRD curves for protons, 13C, 19F, 31P in a site-specific way. We have two field-cycling NMR setups, which enable NMRD measurements over a very wide field range, presently, from about 10 nT to 10 Tesla. In the last years, we have been actively studying effects of strong coupling and level crossing phenomena on relaxation behaviour of various spin systems, homo-nuclear as well as hetero-nuclear, in liquid state. We are also developing techniques for generating long-lived spin states and long-lived coherences (LLSs and LLCs) in an efficient way by using adiabatically ramped RF-fields. We try to develop new applications of LLSs, for instance, for improving image contrast in MRI. We often combine the LLS/LLC methodology with spin hyperpolarization, e.g., spin hyperpolarization derived from parahydrogen. Suggested topics for collaboration within the framework of the Action: [1] Developing methods for optimal generation of LLSs in spin pairs by using ramped RF-fields. Such methods will exploit (i) optimal control theory and (ii) variation of spin Hamiltonian keeping constant adiabaticity. Cooperation: M. Levitt and G. Pileio (Southampton) [2] Measuring the magnetic field dependence of LLS lifetimes for pairs of nearly equivalent spins (pairs of protons, or 13C or 15N spins). Cooperation: M. Levitt and G. Pileio (Southampton). [3] Analyzing NMRDs of 13C and 31P spins. Exploiting long, CSA-free, T1-relaxation times in the mT field range for probing slow chemical exchange, slow diffusion. Exploiting extended relaxation times for drug screening. Cooperation: F. Ferrage and G. Bodenhausen (Paris)