Estimation of Radiation Damping Rates Using 133Cs, 7Li and 31P Solution NMR Spectroscopy and a Theoretical NMR RASER Model

Radio amplification using stimulated emission of radiation (RASER) effects in the NMR can increase NMR signals over time due to a feedback loop between the sample magnetization and the probe coil coupled with radiation damping (RD). Previously, RD rates had been directly observed only for the H-1, He-3, O-17 and Xe-129 nuclei. We report that experimental direct measurements of an NMR RASER to determine RD time constants for the three heteronuclei (Cs-133 (I = 7/2), Li-7 (I = 3/2) and P-31 (I = 1/2)) in a highly concentrated solution from the NMR RASER emissions using a conventional NMR probe. Under conditions where the RD rate exceeds the transverse relaxation rate (i.e., the NMR RASER condition is fulfilled), we recorded both the transverse NMR RASER response to imperfect inversion and the recovery of longitudinal magnetization. The data were directly evaluated based on the well-known Bloom model as estimated RD rate constants of 8.0, 1.8 and 25 Hz for Cs-133, Li-7 and P-31, respectively. The proposed method can be applied to observe RD rate constants for the other nuclei as well.