Single-sided NMR sensor with microscopic depth resolution

US7358734B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AixNMR Zentrum für Magnetische Resonanz e.V. · DE

Inventors

• Bernhard Blumich · Simmerath, DE
• Federico Casanova · Aachen, DE
• Juan Francisco Perlo · Aachen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 7, 2006
• Grant date: Apr 15, 2008
• Expiry date: Apr 7, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R33/383
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A low-cost single-sided NMR sensor to produce depth profiles with microscopic spatial resolution is presented. The open geometry of the NMR sensor provides a non-invasive and non-destructive testing method to characterize the depth structure of objects of arbitrary size. The permanent magnet geometry generates one plane of constant magnetic field intensity parallel to the scanner surface. By combining the highly uniform static gradient with selective RF excitation, a thin flat sensitive slice can be defined. By moving the relative position between the slice and the object, one-dimensional profiles of the near surface of large samples are produced with high spatial resolution.