Pulsed-field nuclear magnetic resonance: Status and prospects

Abstract

High-magnetic-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has manifested itself as an indispensable tool in modern scientific research in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, biology, and medicine, among others, owing to its great advantages in both measurement sensitivity and quantum controllability. At present, the use of pulsed fields is the only controllable and nondestructive way to generate high magnetic fields of up to 100 T. NMR combined with pulsed fields is therefore considered to have immense potential for application in multiple scientific and technical disciplines. Irrespective of the paramount technical challenges, including short duration of the pulsed fields, unstable plateaus, and poor field homogeneity and reproducibility, great progress has been made in a number of pulsed-field laboratories in Germany, France, and Japan. In this paper, we briefly review the status of the pulsed-field NMR technique, as well as its applications in multiple disciplines. We also discuss future trends with regard to the upgrading of pulsed-field NMR.