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Question: What are the components of an NMR spectrometer? And how does each component work?...

What are the components of an NMR spectrometer? And how does each component work?

Explanation

Solution

NMR or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a spectrometric technique in which the sample is placed in a magnetic field and the NMR signal is produced by the excitation of the nuclei sample with radio waves which is detected by a receiver. The magnetic field around an atom in a molecule changes the resonance frequency, thus giving details about the electronic structure of a molecule.

Complete step-by-step answer: The main components of an NMR spectrometer are Magnet, RF coil, Electronic Interface, Computer.
Now, coming to how all these components work let us begin with the magnet which is either a very powerful permanent magnet or a cryogenically-cooled temporary magnet made up of superconducting materials, it serves the purpose of generating directed magnetic fields which aligns spins of the nuclei of substance present in the sample.
Next up is the RF coil which is a coil wrapped around the sample, it serves two purposes first is to transfer energy in the form of a pulse of radio-frequency through the sample this changes the spin orientation of the nuclei present in the sample away from the direction of applied magnetic field, and the second purpose is to act as a detector which picks up the energy released from the nuclei when it reorients back into the direction of applied magnetic field.
This detected signal or energy is amplified by the electronic interface and is then digitized and presented as a visual for us to behold by the computer, the computer mainly does the job of analyzing the amplified sample and then producing NMR spectrum from it which we can interpret to get results.

Note: When we are to use an NMR always take precaution to keep tools, equipments and other personal items containing ferromagnetic materials at least 2m2m away from the device, Also be careful while handling liquid helium which is used to supercool the superconductor magnets generally.