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Advanced Magnetic Resonance
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:47:54
Abstract
The course is for advanced students and covers selected topics from magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This semester, the lecture will introduce and discuss the dynamics of electron-nuclear spin systems and experiments based on hyperfine interactions in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) for sensitivity enhancement in NMR.
Objective
The course aims at enabling students to understand and design experiments that are based on hyperfine coupling between electron and nuclear spins. This includes analytical and numerical treatment of spin dynamics as well as instrumental aspects. Additionally, students will learn how to use hyperfine couplings to increase sensitivity in solid state NMR via dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), with an emphasis on the instrumentation required to perform DNP with magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR.
Content
The course starts with a recapitulation of density operator and product operator formalism with special emphasis on electron-nuclear spin systems in the solid state. We then treat basic phenomena, such as passage effects, avoided level crossings, and hyperfine decoupling. Based on these foundations, we discuss polarization transfer from the electron to the nuclear spin and back, as well as spin diffusion as a mechanism for polarizing nuclear spins beyond the immediate vicinity of the electron spin. The second half of the course will cover dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), with a focus on instrumentation required to perform pulsed DNP with magic angle spinning (MAS) at ultra-high magnetic fields. A review of salient interactions in the NMR solid state NMR Hamiltonian, DNP mechanisms, and electron decoupling with MAS will motivate discussions of technology development. Specific technologies to be covered include, but are not limited to, frequency agile gyrotron oscillators, corrugated waveguides, microwave lenses, strategies for creating pulsed and frequency chirped microwaves, spherical MAS rotors and supporting stators, high temperature superconductor (HTS) based compact magnets, and radio-frequency circuits for multinuclear spin control and detection. Prerequisite: A basic knowledge of Magnetic Resonance, e.g. as covered in the Lecture Physical Chemistry IV, or the book "Spin Dynamics" by Malcolm Levitt.
Resources
Lecture Notes
A script which covers the topics will be distributed in the lecture and will be accessible through the course Moodle
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Website
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Advanced Magnetic Resonance |
|
3 h weekly |
Offered In
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Electives (Students are free to choose from a range of D-CHAB chemistry courses appropriate to their level of study (please note admission requirements). In case of doubt, contact the student administration.)
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General Electives (Students may choose General Electives from the entire course programme of ETH Zurich - with the following restrictions: courses that belong to the first or second year of a Bachelor curriculum at ETH Zurich as well as courses from GESS "Science in Perspective" are not eligible here. The following courses are explicitly recommended to physics students by their lecturers. (Courses in this list may be assigned to the category "General Electives" directly in myStudies. For the category assignment of other eligible courses keep the choice "no category" and take contact with the Study Administration ( ) after having received the credits.))
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