Use of multiple sensors in a nuclear quadropole resonance detection system to improve measurement speed
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In a system for scanning a sample to detect nuclear quadrupole resonance, where the frequency of the nuclear quadrupole resonance of any quadrupole nuclei in the sample is known only within a range of frequencies Δ
- fNQR, and wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
fNQR, a method for improving the measurement speed of the system, comprising;
a) providing n sensors to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal,wherein the n sensors are high temperature superconductor self-resonant planar coils used solely to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, andwherein the n sensors are tuned to m different resonance frequencies, at least two of which are between f1 and f2, andwherein n is greater than 1 and 2≦
m≦
n;
b) irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has frequencies corresponding to the sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2;
c) detecting a nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, if any, using the sensors with resonance frequencies between f1 and f2;
d) retuning the n sensors to p different resonance frequencies, at least two of which are between f1 and f2, wherein at least two of the resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 are different from any of the previously tuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, and where 2≦
p≦
n,wherein the resonance frequency of each of the n sensors is tuned and retuned using n circuits, one for each of the n sensors, wherein each circuit of the n circuits is comprised of a single loop or coil to inductively couple the circuit to the high temperature superconductor self-resonant sensor, a variable reactance in series with the single loop or coil, and means to connect the variable reactance to, and disconnect the variable reactance from, the single loop or coil;
e) irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has frequencies corresponding to the retuned sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the retuned frequencies between f1 and f2;
f) detecting a nuclear quadrupole resonance signal to indicate the presence of quadrupole nuclei in the sample, if any, using the sensors with retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2; and
g) repeating steps (d), (e) and (f) until the whole range of frequencies between f1 and f2 has been scanned, wherein p can have the same or different values each time step (d) is repeated.
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Abstract
The use of multiple sensors improves the measurement speed of a nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system when the nuclear quadrupole resonance frequency is known only within a range of frequencies.
102 Citations
24 Claims
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1. In a system for scanning a sample to detect nuclear quadrupole resonance, where the frequency of the nuclear quadrupole resonance of any quadrupole nuclei in the sample is known only within a range of frequencies Δ
- fNQR, and wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
fNQR, a method for improving the measurement speed of the system, comprising;a) providing n sensors to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, wherein the n sensors are high temperature superconductor self-resonant planar coils used solely to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, and wherein the n sensors are tuned to m different resonance frequencies, at least two of which are between f1 and f2, and wherein n is greater than 1 and 2≦
m≦
n;b) irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has frequencies corresponding to the sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2; c) detecting a nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, if any, using the sensors with resonance frequencies between f1 and f2; d) retuning the n sensors to p different resonance frequencies, at least two of which are between f1 and f2, wherein at least two of the resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 are different from any of the previously tuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, and where 2≦
p≦
n,wherein the resonance frequency of each of the n sensors is tuned and retuned using n circuits, one for each of the n sensors, wherein each circuit of the n circuits is comprised of a single loop or coil to inductively couple the circuit to the high temperature superconductor self-resonant sensor, a variable reactance in series with the single loop or coil, and means to connect the variable reactance to, and disconnect the variable reactance from, the single loop or coil; e) irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has frequencies corresponding to the retuned sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the retuned frequencies between f1 and f2; f) detecting a nuclear quadrupole resonance signal to indicate the presence of quadrupole nuclei in the sample, if any, using the sensors with retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2; and g) repeating steps (d), (e) and (f) until the whole range of frequencies between f1 and f2 has been scanned, wherein p can have the same or different values each time step (d) is repeated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- fNQR, and wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
-
5. In a system for scanning a sample to detect nuclear quadrupole resonance, where the frequency of the nuclear quadrupole resonance of any quadrupole nuclei i the sample is known only within a range of frequencies Δ
- fNQR, and wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
fNQR, a method for improving the measurement speed of the system, comprising;a) providing n sensors to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, wherein the n sensors are high temperature superconductor self-resonant planar coils used solely to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, and wherein the n sensors are tuned to m different resonance frequencies, at least two of which are between f1 and f2, and wherein n is greater than 1 and 2≦
m≦
n;b) irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has frequencies corresponding to the sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2; c) detecting a nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, if any, using the sensors with resonance frequencies between f1 and f2; d) retuning the n sensors to p different resonance frequencies, at least two of which are between f1 and f2, wherein at least two of the resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 are different from any of the previously tuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, and wherein 2≦
p≦
n,wherein the resonance frequency of each of the n sensors is tuned and retuned using one or more circuits, wherein each the circuits is comprised of a variable reactance; e) irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has frequencies corresponding to the retuned sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the retuned frequencies between f1 and f2; f) detecting a nuclear quadrupole resonance signal to indicate the presence of quadrupole nuclei in the sample, if any, using the sensors with retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2; and g) repeating steps (d), (e) and (f) until the whole range of frequencies between f1 and f2 has been scanned, wherein p can have the same or different values each time step (d) is repeated. - View Dependent Claims (6)
- fNQR, and wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
-
7. In a system for scanning a sample to detect nuclear quadrupole resonance, where the frequency of the nuclear quadrupole resonance of any quadrupole nuclei in the sample is known only within a range of frequencies Δ
- fNQR, and wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
fNQR, a method for improving the measurement speed of the system, comprising;a) providing n sensors to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, wherein the n sensors are each comprised of two coupled high temperature superconductor self-resonant planar coils used solely to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, and wherein the n sensors are tuned to m different resonance frequencies, at least two of which are between f1 and f2, and wherein n is greater than 1 and 2≦
m≦
n;b) irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has frequencies corresponding to the sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2; c) detecting a nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, if any, using the sensors with resonance frequencies between f1 and f2; d) retuning the n sensors to p different resonance frequencies, at least two of which are between f1 and f2, wherein at least two of the resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 are different from any of the previously tuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, and wherein 2≦
p≦
n,wherein the resonance frequency of each of the n sensors is tuned and retuned using n circuits, one for each of the n sensors, wherein each circuit of the n circuits is comprised of a single loop or coil to inductively couple the circuit to the high temperature superconductor self-resonant sensor, a variable reactance in series with the single loop or coil, and means to enable the variable reactance to be connected to and disconnected from the single loop or coil; e) irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has frequencies corresponding to the retuned sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the retuned frequencies between f1 and f2; f) detecting a nuclear quadrupole resonance signal to indicate the presence of quadrupole nuclei in the sample, if any, using the sensors with retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2; and g) repeating steps (d), (e) and (f) until the whole range of frequencies between f1 and f2 has been scanned, wherein p can have the same or different values each time step (d) is repeated. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
- fNQR, and wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
-
11. In a system for scanning a sample to detect nuclear quadrupole resonance, where the frequency of the nuclear quadrupole resonance of any quadrupole nuclei in the sample is known only within a range of frequencies Δ
- fNQR, and wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
fNQR, a method for improving the measurement speed of the system, comprising;a) providing n sensors to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, wherein the n sensors are each comprised of two coupled high temperature superconductor self-resonant planar coils used solely to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, and wherein the n sensors are tuned to m different resonance frequencies, at least two of which are between f1 and f2, and wherein n is greater than 1 and 2≦
m≦
n;b) irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has frequencies corresponding to the sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2; c) detecting a nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, if any, using the sensors with resonance frequencies between f1 and f2; d) retuning the n sensors to p different resonance frequencies, at least two of which are between f1 and f2, wherein at least two of the resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 are different from any of the previously tuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, and wherein 2≦
p≦
n,wherein the resonance frequency of each of the n sensors is tuned and retuned using one or more circuits, wherein each of the circuits is comprised of a variable reactance; e) irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has frequencies corresponding to the retuned sensor resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the retuned frequencies between f1 and f2; f) detecting a nuclear quadrupole resonance signal to indicate the presence of quadrupole nuclei in the sample, if any, using the sensors with retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2; and g) repeating steps (d), (e) and (f) until the whole range of frequencies between f1 and f2 has been scanned, wherein p can have the same or different values each time step (d) is repeated. - View Dependent Claims (12)
- fNQR, and wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
-
13. A nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system for scanning a sample in which the frequency of the nuclear quadrupole resonance of any quadrupole nuclei in the sample lie within a range of frequencies Δ
- fNQR, wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
fNQR, comprising;a) n sensors to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, wherein n is greater than 1, wherein the n sensors are high temperature superconductor self-resonant planar coils which solely detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal; b) means for (i) tuning the n sensors to m different resonance frequencies at least two of which are between f1 and f2, wherein 2≦
m≦
n,(ii) retuning the n sensors to p different resonance frequencies at least two of which are between f1 and f2, wherein at least two of the retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 are different from any of the previously tuned or retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, wherein 2≦
p≦
n, and wherein p has the same or different values each time the n sensors are retuned, and(iii) repeatedly retuning the n sensors to p different resonance frequencies until the whole range of frequencies between f1 and f2 has been scanned, wherein the means to tune and retune the resonance frequency of each of the n sensors comprises n circuits, one for each of the n sensors, wherein each of the n circuits is comprised of a single loop or coil to inductively couple the circuits to the high temperature superconductor self-resonant sensor, a variable reactance in series with the single loop or coil, and means to connect the variable reactance to, and disconnect the variable reactance from, the single loop or coil; and c) means for irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has (i) frequencies corresponding to the originally tuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, or (ii) frequencies corresponding to any retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, thereby to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the resonance frequencies between f1 and f2. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
- fNQR, wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
-
17. A nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system for scanning a sample in which the frequency of the nuclear quadrupole resonance of any quadrupole nuclei in the sample lie within a range of frequencies Δ
- fNQR, wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
fNQR, comprising;a) n sensors to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, wherein n is greater than 1, wherein the n sensors are high temperature superconductor self-resonant planar coils which solely detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal; b) means for (i) tuning the n sensors to m different resonance frequencies at least two of which are between f1 and f2, wherein 2≦
m≦
n,(ii) retuning the n sensors to p different resonance frequencies at least two of which are between f1 and f2, wherein at least two of the retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 are different from any of the previously tuned or retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, wherein 2≦
p≦
n, and wherein p has the same or different values each time the n sensors are retuned, and(iii) repeatedly retuning the n sensors to p different resonance frequencies until the whole range of frequencies between f1 and f2 has been scanned, wherein the means to tune and retune the resonance frequency of each of the n sensors comprises one or more circuits, each of which circuits is comprised of a variable reactance; and c) means for irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has (i) frequencies corresponding to the originally tuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, or (ii) frequencies corresponding to any retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, thereby to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the resonance frequencies between f1 and f2. - View Dependent Claims (18)
- fNQR, wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
-
19. A nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system for scanning a sample in which the frequency of the nuclear quadrupole resonance of any quadrupole nuclei in the sample lie within a range of frequencies Δ
- fNQR, wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
fNQR, comprising;a) n sensors to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, wherein n is greater than 1, wherein the n sensors are each comprised of two coupled high temperature superconductor self-resonant planar coils which solely detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal; b) means for (i) tuning the n sensors to m different resonance frequencies at least two of which are between f1 and f2, wherein 2≦
m≦
n,(ii) retuning the n sensors to p different resonance frequencies at least two of which are between f1 and f2, wherein at least two of the retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 are different from any of the previously tuned or retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, wherein 2≦
p≦
n, and wherein p has the same or different values each time the n sensors are retuned, and(iii) repeatedly retuning the n sensors to p different resonance frequencies until the whole range of frequencies between f1 and f2 has been scanned, wherein the means to tune and retune the resonance frequency of each of the n sensors comprises n circuits, one for each of the n sensors, wherein each of the n circuits is comprised of a single loop or coil to inductively couple the circuit to the high temperature superconductor self-resonant sensor, a variable reactance in series with the single loop or coil, and means to connect the variable reactance to, and disconnect the variable reactance from, the single loop or coil; and c) means for irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has (i) frequencies corresponding to the originally tuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, or (ii) frequencies corresponding to any retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, thereby to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the resonance frequencies between f1 and f2. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
- fNQR, wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
-
23. A nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system for scanning a sample in which the frequency of the nuclear quadrupole resonance of any quadrupole nuclei in the sample lie within a range of frequencies Δ
- fNQR, wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
fNQR, comprising;a) n sensors to detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal, wherein n is greater than 1, wherein the n sensors are each comprised of two coupled high temperature superconductor self-resonant planar coils which solely detect the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal; b) means for (i) tuning the n sensors to m different resonance frequencies at least two of which are between f1 and f2, wherein 2≦
m≦
n,(ii) retuning the n sensors to p different resonance frequencies at least two of which are between f1 and f2, wherein at least two of the retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2 are different from any of the previously tuned or retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, wherein 2≦
p≦
n, and wherein p has the same or different values each time the n sensors are retuned, and(iii) repeatedly retuning the n sensors to p different resonance frequencies until the whole range of frequencies between f1 and f2 has been scanned, wherein the means to tune and retune the resonance frequency of each of the n sensors comprises one or more circuits, each of which circuits is comprised of a variable reactance; and c) means for irradiating the sample with an RF signal that has (i) frequencies corresponding to the originally tuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, or (ii) frequencies corresponding to any retuned resonance frequencies between f1 and f2, thereby to excite any nuclear quadrupole resonance having a resonance frequency at one or more of the resonance frequencies between f1 and f2. - View Dependent Claims (24)
- fNQR, wherein f1 and f2 are the frequencies corresponding to the end points of the range of frequencies Δ
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Current AssigneeE. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Corteva, Inc.)
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Original AssigneeE. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Corteva, Inc.)
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InventorsWilker, Charles, Laubacher, Daniel B., McCambridge, James D.
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Primary Examiner(s)Shrivastav; Brij
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Assistant Examiner(s)Vargas; Dixomara
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Application NumberUS11/013,591Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,252 DaysField of Search324300-322US Class Current324/318CPC Class CodesG01N 24/084 Detection of potentially ha...G01R 33/441 Nuclear Quadrupole Resonanc...
