Earth's Field NMR

Abstract

This experiment was an attempt to use the natural magnetic field of Earth in order to observe nuclear magnetic resonance in a material. We measured the relaxation time T₁ , the time it takes for the nuclei to relax to equilibrium after they have been aligned by the magnetic field. A constant magnetic field was applied to the material for varying times and then the levels of polarization within the material were plotted as a function of that time. This plot was fitted to calculate the observed relaxation time. The time was observed for the materials, water, HT-70, HT-110, and PFS-2. These values we compared to accepted values and those found by a high-field NMR apparatus.