An NMR Spectrometer based on a Silicon Chip

Multi-dimensional NMR has long been an essential technique for chemical, structural and material analysis. To meet the requirements of sensitivity, spectral resolution and complex RF control these applications demand, NMR instrumentation has traditionally required large superconducting magnets and spectrometer electronics; thus largely limiting their use to within dedicated laboratory spaces. Over the past decade, magnet technology has improved to the point where miniaturized permanent magnets have the sufficient strength and homogeneity for the NMR spectroscopy of small molecules [1] , thus overcoming a critical limitation to its in-field, on-demand and on-line application. To fully complement advances in magnet technology, we have developed a NMR spectrometer based on a 2-mm silicon chip [2] adapting the same kinds of mixed analogue and digital chip technologies that were originally developed for modern electronics, such as mobile phones. The chip is capable of arbitrary pulse sequences supporting multi-dimensional NMR experiments for NMR spectroscopy and relaxation measurements and it works over a large frequency range.


We will describe the key design features of the chip and the periphery circuitry for a complete NMR system. Ultimately, such miniaturization of the NMR chip could enable truly handheld NMR devices, and serve to achieve novel NMR applications such as parallel NMR and MRI experiments, process monitoring, NMR detected microfluidics.