Methods and devices for polarized NMR samples

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices and methods for melting a solid polarised sample while retaining a high level of polarisation. In an embodiment of the present invention a sample is polarised in a sample-retaining cup in a strong magnetic field in a polarising means in a cryostat and then melted inside the cryostat by melting means such as a laser connected by an optical fibre to the interior of the cryostat.

1 . A method of rapidly heating an NMR sample, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an NMR sample inside a tube, said NMR sample being frozen and having achieved a specified degree of polarization; and    supplying power through said tube to thereby heat and melt said NMR sample within a heating time which sufficiently short such that said NMR sample retains about 10% or more of the amount of said achieved degree of polarization.    
     
     
         2 . A method of using a device for melting a solid polarized NMR sample, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an NMR sample, said NMR sample being frozen solid and having achieved a specified degree of polarization; and    melting the polarized solid NMR sample with a means for melting within a time period sufficiently short that said melted NMR sample retains about 10% or more of the amount of said achieved degree of polarization.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of performing NMR analysis on the melted polarized sample.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for polarizing and rapidly heating a frozen NMR sample, said apparatus comprising: 
 a tube containing said frozen NMR sample, said tube having a closed bottom part and a sealable open top;    a magnet to polarize said frozen NMR sample to achieve a specified degree of polarization by providing magnetic field inside said tube; and    heating means for heating and thereby melting said NMR sample inside said tube while said NMR sample still retains about 10% or more of the amount of said achieved degree of polarization.    
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for polarizing and rapidly heating a frozen NMR sample, said apparatus comprising: 
 a container containing said frozen NMR sample, said container having a closed bottom part and an open top;    a magnet to polarize said frozen NMR sample to achieve a specified degree of polarization by providing magnetic field inside said container; and    heating means for heating and thereby melting said NMR sample inside said container while said NMR sample still retains about 10% or more of the amount of said achieved degree of polarization.    
     
     
         6 . Device for melting a solid polarized sample for NMR analysis wherein it comprises: 
 a container containing said sample;    a magnet for polarizing a solid sample; and    means for melting a polarized solid sample, characterized in that the means for melting is adapted so that the loss of polarization during melting is less than 90%.    
     
     
         7 . Device for melting a solid polarized sample wherein it comprises: 
 means for polarizing a solid sample; and    means for melting a polarized solid sample, characterized in that the means for melting is adapted so that the loss of polarization during melting is less than 90%.