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Optical detection of scalar J-coupling in a zero field environment

Micah Ledbetter, University of California, Berkeley

(Session : Thursday from )

Abstract. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful analytical tool for determining molecular structure and function. Nuclear magnetic resonance experiments are conventionally detected using inductive pickup coils in magnetic fields generated by large, immobile, and expensive superconducting magnets. One of the important parameters used for determining molecular structure and function is the scalar spin-spin coupling (J-coupling), which is many orders of magnitude smaller than the Zeeman interaction in a conventional NMR experiment. We have recently demonstrated detection of scalar coupling in a zero magnetic field environment using a microfabricated optical atomic magnetometer. We show that characteristic functional groups produce distinct spectra, providing a unique fingerprint for chemical identification. The technology is inexpensive and portable, facilitating multiplexed assays, screening, and chemical identification in biochemistry and medicine on a chip scale device.