Magnetic moments of short-lived nuclei with part-per-million accuracy: Towards novel applications of \(\beta\)-detected NMR in physics, chemistry and biology

• Published in: arXiv.org
• Main Authors: Harding, R D, Pallada, S, Croese, J, Antušek, A A, Baranowski, M, Bissell, M L, Cerato, L, Dziubinska-Kühn, Gins, W, Gustafsson, F P, Javaji, A, Jolivet, R B, Kanellakopoulos, A, Karg, B, M Kempka V Kocman, Kozak, M, Kulesz, K, M Madurga Flores, Neyens, G, R Pietrzyk J Plavec, Pomorski, M, Skrzypczak, A, Wagenknecht, P, Wienholtz, F, Xu, J Wolak Z, Zakoucky, D, Kowalska, M
• Format: Paper
• Language: English
• Published: Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 09.09.2020
• Subjects: Accuracy; Dipole moments; Magnetic dipoles; Magnetic moments; Magnetic shielding; Magnetism; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Nuclei; Systematic errors
• ISSN: 2331-8422
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2004.02820

We determine for the first time the magnetic dipole moment of a short-lived nucleus with part-per-million (ppm) accuracy. To achieve this two orders of magnitude improvement over previous studies, we implement a number of innovations into our \(\beta\)-detected Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (\(\beta\)-NMR) setup at ISOLDE/CERN. Using liquid samples as hosts we obtain narrow, sub-kHz linewidth, resonances, while a simultaneous in-situ \(^1\)H NMR measurement allows us to calibrate and stabilize the magnetic field to ppm precision, thus eliminating the need for additional \(\beta\)-NMR reference measurements. Furthermore, we use ab initio calculations of NMR shielding constants to improve the accuracy of the reference magnetic moment, thus removing a large systematic error. We demonstrate the potential of this combined approach with the 1.1 s half-life radioactive nucleus \(^{26}\)Na, which is relevant for biochemical studies. Our technique can be readily extended to other isotopic chains, providing accurate magnetic moments for many short-lived nuclei. Furthermore, we discuss how our approach can open the path towards a wide range of applications of the ultra-sensitive \(\beta\)-NMR in physics, chemistry, and biology.