Optical Detection of NMR in Liquids

在这项由实验物理化学项目资助的奖项中，普林斯顿大学的罗曼利斯教授将开发一种新的核磁共振(核磁共振)光谱检测方法。核磁共振是一项广泛应用于临床医学、医学研究、基础生物学、化学等诸多领域的技术。它被广泛用于研究蛋白质和其他生物重要分子，以及用于医疗诊断的非侵入性磁共振成像(MRI)。这些应用中的绝大多数依赖于对自旋极化的液体和固体产生的长程偶极磁场的感应检测，这项技术自核磁共振诞生以来就很流行。在这个项目中，罗曼利斯教授将开发一种新的核磁共振检测方法，使用穿过样品的激光的光学旋转。这种新的核自旋旋光(NSOR)方法为核磁共振光谱学和成像开辟了许多新的可能性。Romaris教授和他的学生将开发一种测量设备，允许在标准的5 mm核磁共振探测器中使用光学腔来检测NSOR信号，从而将信噪比提高到2000倍。对光学探测方法的初步探索设想了四个方向：第一，对常见流体的测量将使人们能够基本了解NSOR信号的范围，并与以前关于这种效应的理论计算进行比较。其次，对可见光谱中具有强孤立吸收峰的分子的测量将有助于研究光学中心附近的超精细相互作用。第三，对含有重元素的化合物的测量将识别出特别强的NSOR信号，这些信号可以用作核磁共振直接光学成像的标记。第四，对具有几组不同原子核的分子的测量将探索NSOR信号的特异性及其与化学位移的关系。技术设计将与社区共享，并将努力将该技术商业化。该项目将为学生和博士后研究人员提供跨学科的培训机会。

In this award funded by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program, Professor Romalis of Princeton University will develop a new detection method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. NMR is a versatile technique used in clinical medicine, medical research, basic biology, chemistry, and many other fields. It is widely used for studying proteins and other biologically-important molecules, and for non-invasive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for medical diagnostics. The vast majority of these applications rely on inductive detection of long-range dipolar magnetic fields created by spin-polarized liquids and solids, the technique prevalent since the inception of NMR. In this project, Professor Romalis will develop a new method for NMR detection using optical rotation of a laser beam passing through the sample. This new method of nuclear spin optical rotation (NSOR) opens a number of new possibilities for NMR spectroscopy and imaging.Professor Romalis and his students will develop a measurement apparatus that allows detection of NSOR signals in a standard 5-mm NMR probe using an optical cavity to increase the signal-to-noise by a factor of 2000. Four directions for initial exploration of the optical detection method are envisioned:First, measurements on common fluids will allow basic understanding of the range of NSOR signals and comparison with previous theoretical calculations of this effect. Second, measurements on molecules with strong isolated absorption peaks in the visible spectrum would allow studies of hyperfine interactions near optical centers. Third, measurements on compounds with heavy elements would identify particularly strong NSOR signals that could be used as markers for direct optical imaging of NMR. Fourth, measurements on molecules with several groups of non-equivalent nuclei will explore the specificity of the NSOR signals and their relationship to chemical shifts.The technical designs will be shared with the community and efforts will be made to commercialize the technology. The project will provide cross-disciplinary training opportunities for students and postdoctoral researchers.