Abstract:
A method is described for determining a characteristic, such as the mass, of each of a plurality of samples. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of coil elements each for surrounding a respective sample, causing the samples to enter an interrogation zone, each sample being surrounded by a respective coil element when it is located within the interrogation zone, applying a magnetic field in a first direction in the interrogation zone for creating in a pre-polarised state a net nuclear magnetisation of a nuclear spin species within a sample located in the interrogation zone, applying, by each coil element surrounding a respective sample located in the interrogation zone, an RF field in a second direction for temporarily changing the net nuclear magnetisation of the nuclear spin species in the sample, detecting RF energy emitted from that sample as the net nuclear magnetisation of the nuclear spin species in the sample relaxes, and, from the detected RF energy, determining the characteristic of each sample located in the interrogation zone.
Abstract:
A method is described for determining a characteristic, such as the mass, of each of a plurality of samples. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of coil elements each for surrounding a respective sample, causing the samples to enter an interrogation zone, each sample being surrounded by a respective coil element when it is located within the interrogation zone, applying a magnetic field in a first direction in the interrogation zone for creating in a pre-polarised state a net nuclear magnetisation of a nuclear spin species within a sample located in the interrogation zone, applying, by each coil element surrounding a respective sample located in the interrogation zone, an RF field in a second direction for temporarily changing the net nuclear magnetisation of the nuclear spin species in the sample, detecting RF energy emitted from that sample as the net nuclear magnetisation of the nuclear spin species in the sample relaxes, and, from the detected RF energy, determining the characteristic of each sample located in the interrogation zone.