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Advanced Magnetic Resonance - DNP Instrumentation and Applications
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:29:43
Abstract
The course is for advanced students and covers selected topics from magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The following topics will be covered:•DNP theory & instrumentation•Microwave theory & technology•Biological applications of solid-state DNP
Objective
The course aims at enabling students to understand the key theoretical points of DNP and to design DNP experiments. Students will be familiarized with the structure of the state-of-the-art DNP instrumentation. Students will be also informed about the technological challenges towards the development of advanced instrumentation for the future DNP experiments. A special focus will be given in the technology of microwave source. Furthermore, students will become familiar with pulse sequences used in biomolecular applications and understand how they are constructed. Students will be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of biomolecular DNP and how to design DNP experiments for biological applications including sample preparation and choice of NMR experiment and related parameters.
Content
The course is separated in three well separated parts. The first part will cover DNP concept and mechanisms, while a special focus will be given in DNP instrumentation, such as MAS technology, and the NMR probe. Several details will be also presented on the development high field NMR magnet. The second part of the course is dedicated to the microwave theory and technology. This part starts with an introduction of the two different types of microwave sources, such as the solid-state devices and vacuum tubes, which are extensively used in DNP and EPR spectroscopy. A special focus will be given to the vacuum tube’s theory and technology. In this context, the Maxwell equations and the propagation of the transverse electric and transverse magnetic modes in circular waveguides will be taught. This material will be the basis for understanding the resonance theory and the fundamentals of the microwave’s generation in vacuum tubes. Based on the theoretical background gained in the previous lectures it will be possible to understand the operation principle of the slow wave devices, such as Klystron, Traveling Wave Tube (TWT), Backward Wave Oscillator (BWO) and Surface Wave Structure (SWS), as well as, the fast wave devices, such as gyro-devices, Free Electron Laser, etc. Finally, some details on the structure of a real DNP gyrotron will be presented. The third part of the course will cover CPMAS and homonuclear and heteronuclear recoupling schemes and their use in correlation spectroscopy for structure and molecular interaction determination. Sample preparation with particular emphasis of glassing agents and their relationship to DNP enhancements will be discussed. Resolution under DNP including a discussion about inhomogeneous and homogeneous broadening at cryogenic temperatures. Methods for circumventing low resolution at cryogenic temperatures will be discussed including site specific isotope labeling, bio-orthogonal labeling and site specific radical labeling/targeting. Concepts around the role of spin diffusion in DNP, direct and indirect DNP, paramagnetic broadening, longitudinal T1 and methyl quenching in biological NMR will also be discussed. These concepts will then be tied together through discussions of biomolecular applications of solid-state DNP including membrane proteins, in-cell DNP and viruses.
Resources
Lecture Notes
A script which covers the topics will be accessible through the course Moodle
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DR , MSC
- Frequency
- Every two years
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Advanced Magnetic Resonance - DNP Instrumentation and Applications
Does not take place this semester.
|
No time listed | 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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Doctorate Materials Science (Further information at: )
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