Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of investigating a sample using nuclear magnetic resonance, the method comprising i) applying a magnetic field across said sample; ii) creating zero quantum coherences (ZQCs) within said sample during a preparation period of duration τ; iii) allowing said zero quantum coherences to evolve for a period of at least NΔ+t 1 , where Δ, t 1 are constant time intervals and N is an integer; iv) at the end of the step iii) applying a coherence transfer pulse to create single quantum coherences whereafter a free induction decay signal is generated; v) after a period τ, collecting said free induction decay signal from said sample; vi) repeating steps ii) to v) with different values of N; and, vii) combining at least some of the free induction decay (FID) signals collected to generate an FID due to a single ZQC.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of investigating a sample using nuclear magnetic resonance, the method comprising i) applying a magnetic field across said sample; ii) creating zero quantum coherences (ZQCs) within said sample during a preparation period of duration τ; iii) allowing said zero quantum coherences to evolve for a period of at least NΔ+t 1 , where Δ, t 1 are constant time intervals and N is an integer; iv) at the end of the step iii) applying a coherence transfer pulse to create single quantum coherences whereafter a free induction decay signal is generated; v) after a period τ, collecting said free induction decay signal from said sample; vi) repeating steps ii) to v) with different values of N; and, vii) combining at least some of the free induction decay (FID) signals collected to generate an FID due to a single ZQC.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein step ii) comprises applying a pulse sequence comprising a 90° radio frequency pulse in an X direction, a relaxation period of duration τ/2, a 180° radio frequency pulse in a Y direction followed by a further relaxation period of duration τ/2 and a final 90° pulse in said X direction, where the magnetic field is applied along a Z direction and said X, Y, and Z directions define an orthogonal coordinate system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein Δ is chosen to be equal to π/ω ZQC , where ω ZQC is the frequency of said single ZQC.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein step v) comprises adding the FID signal collected after each step iii) in which N is an odd integer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein steps ii) and v) include applying a 180° radio frequency pulse at a time τ/2 after commencement of the relevant period.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein step iii) has a duration of NΔ+τ'+t 1 , an additional pulse α.sub.θ being applied after a time NΔ+τ', wherein 0° <α≦90°, and wherein θ indicates a direction orthogonal to the magnetic field direction.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of investigating a sample using nuclear magnetic resonance, the method comprising i) applying a magnetic field across said sample; ii) creating zero quantum coherences within said sample during a preparation period of duration τ; iii) after a period τ', subsequent to step ii), applying a first coherence transfer pulse α.sub.θ ; iv) after a further period t 1 , applying a second coherence transfer pulse α.sub.θ1 ; v) after a further period τ", applying a coherence transfer pulse to create single quantum coherences to generate a free induction decay signal; and, vi) after a period τ'" collecting said free induction decay signal from said sample.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of investigating a sample using nuclear magnetic resonance, the method comprising i) applying a magnetic field across said sample; ii) creating zero quantum coherences within said sample during a preparation period of duration τ; iii) after a period τ', subsequent to step ii), applying a first coherence transfer pulse α.sub.θ ; iv) after a further period t 1 , applying a second coherence transfer pulse α.sub.θ1 ; v) after a further period τ", applying a coherence transfer pulse to create single quantum coherences to generate a free induction decay signal; and, vi) after a period τ'" collecting said free induction decay signal from said sample.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein τ═τ'" and τ'═τ".
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 7, where α lies between 0° and 180°.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein Δ is chosen to be equal to 2τ/ω ZQC , where ω ZQC is the frequency of said ZQC.