Observing Bragg-like diffraction via multiple coupled nuclear spins

• Published in: Physics letters. A Vol. 326; no. 1; pp. 114 - 125
• Main Authors: Tang, X.-P., Chin, C.-L., Bouchard, L.-S., Wehrli, F.W., Warren, W.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 31-05-2004
• Subjects: Collective system; Diffraction; Intermolecular multiple-quantum coherence; Magnetic resonance imaging; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Collective system; 83.85.Fg; Diffraction; Magnetic resonance imaging; 76.60.Pc; 82.56.Ub; Nuclear magnetic resonance; 61.18.Fs; Intermolecular multiple-quantum coherence
• ISSN: 0375-9601; 1873-2429
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physleta.2004.04.017

Using intermolecular multiple-quantum coherence (iMQC) we report the first observation of Bragg-like diffraction via multiple distantly coupled nuclear spins. A compact quantum-mechanical formalism has been developed for analytically calculating iMQCs. The diffraction of iMQCs of various orders has been studied in a two-dimensional array structure. It indicates that phase cycling and flip angle selection are crucial for accurately measuring iMQC and the specific iMQCs measured in previous studies were likely contaminated by undesired coherences. We have also examined the capability and the current limitation of applying iMQCs for structural studies. The observation of iMQC diffraction introduces a new method for studying collective dynamics.