Reversibility of dynamics and multiple-quantum coherences.

In spin systems, the decay of the Loschmidt echo in the time-reversal experiment (evolution-perturbation-time-reversed evolution) is linked to the generation of multiple-quantum (MQ) coherences. Unlimited growth of the MQ coherences leads to irreversibility of dynamics. In some cases, one can expect that the deviation of the Loschmidt echo and the second moment of the MQ intensities distribution are linear in time. The criteria of such behavior, called weak irreversibility, are formulated. The proposed approach can be extended beyond spin systems, in order to analyze some general aspects of reversibility of many-body quantum dynamics.

A model for membrane potential and intracellular ion distribution.

Most cells carry a negative electric charge. It produces a potential difference across the membrane, which regulates voltage-sensitive ion transport and ATP synthesis in mitochondria. The negative charge comes partly from an excess of negative ions in the cell interior (Donnan potential) and partly from ionized groups on the membrane (surface potential). In this work we propose some important modifications to the existing theory of membrane potential. First, we calculate the concentration profile of intracellular positive ions and derive a simple equation to assess the submembrane depletion of positive ions that gives rise to the Donnan potential. The extent of depletion varies with potential, which may provide a regulatory mechanism for ion pumps and channels. Next we consider the surface component of the potential and note that the standard Gouy-Chapman theory has been developed for planar membranes, whereas real cell membranes have a closed geometry. In this case, charges on the membrane surface are not expected to generate fields extending into the cell interior. This fact calls for reinterpretation of some theoretical points as well as experimental data. In particular, the experimentally demonstrated electrostatic attraction between cationic proteins and the negative membrane must now be explained without invoking intracellular fields, and we suggest a new mechanism that can account for this interaction.

Communication: Long-lived states of nuclear spins in solids.

We report an observation of extremely long-lived spin states in systems of dipolar-coupled nuclear spins in solids. The "suspended echo" experiment uses a simple stimulated echo pulse sequence and creates non-equilibrium states which live many orders of magnitude longer than the characteristic time of spin-spin dynamics T2. Large amounts of information can be encoded in such long-lived states and subsequently retrieved by an application of a single "reading" pulse.

Simple suppression of radiation damping.

Radiation damping is known to cause line-broadening and frequency shifts of strong resonances in NMR spectra. While several techniques exist for the suppression of these effects, many require specialized hardware, or are only compatible with the presence of few strong resonances. We describe a simple pulse sequence for radiation damping suppression in spectra with many strong resonances. The sequence can be used as-is to generate simple spectra or as a signal excitation part in more advanced experiments.

Coherent averaging in the frequency domain.

Quantum-mechanical evolution of systems with periodic time-modulated Hamiltonians is often described by effective interactions. Such average Hamiltonians, calculated as few terms of an expansion in powers of the interaction, are sometimes difficult to relate to experimental observations. We propose a frequency-domain approach to this problem, which offers certain advantages and produces an approximate solution for the density matrix, better linked to measurable quantities. The formalism is suitable for calculating the intensities of narrowed spectral peaks. Fast magic-angle-spinning NMR spectra of solids are used to experimentally illustrate the method.

Long-lived NMR echoes in solids.

A new type of long-lived NMR echo in solids with homogeneously broadened dipolar spectra is discussed. The echo can be generated by a simple two-pulse Hahn sequence in solid samples, where dipolar-coupled nuclei have different chemical shifts. We present general considerations and simple theoretical models which explain some features of this phenomenon.

Selective excitation of homogeneous spectral lines.

It is possible, by selective excitation of homogeneously broadened lines, to produce response signals, which are orders of magnitude narrower than the original lines. The new type of echo, which allows detecting such signals, and the formalism, useful for understanding the phenomenon, as well as the experimental examples from NMR spectroscopy are presented. Long-lived partial NMR echo in solids can be excited by a simple two-pulse Hahn sequence.

Projection of a quantum state on eigenstates of average Hamiltonian.

A scheme for projecting an arbitrary quantum state on eigenstates of average Hamiltonian is described. As an experimental example, projection on entangled Bell states, which are eigenstates of specially constructed average Hamiltonian, is demonstrated for a system of two dipolar-coupled nuclear spins. The results of a direct and time-reversed evolution are added to average out the coherences between different eigenstates and accomplish the projection.

Measurement of the absorption of concentrated dyes and their use for quantitative imaging of surface topography.

We propose a method to image the surface topography of transparent objects. The space between the object and the opposite closely positioned surface (such as a cover glass or a slide) is filled with a strongly absorbing dye. The contrast is generated by recording a transmission image at a wavelength where the dye absorbs. Since the transmitted intensity depends on the depth of the dye layer, it carries information about the relief of the tested surface. With sufficiently concentrated dyes, nanometre unevenness of a surface can be detected. By using less-concentrated solutions, it is possible to image and measure larger objects, such as biological cells. At the present stage, biological applications of the method are only semi-quantitative, but the method still provides detailed information about cell shapes that is not readily obtainable with other imaging techniques. Conversion of the image grey scale into the units of vertical distance requires knowledge of the absorption coefficient of the dye. The same method that is used for imaging can be adapted to measure the absorption coefficient of concentrated dyes. The solution to be analyzed is placed between a glass slide and a spherical lens of known radius. The absorption coefficient is determined from attenuation of transmitted intensity as a function of the distance to the centre. At the same time, the interference pattern in the reflected image allows measurement of the refractive index of the dye.

Thermodynamics of adiabatic cross polarization.

Using a spin-temperature approach, we describe a scheme of adiabatic cross polarization, based on demagnetization/remagnetization, when the Zeeman order of abundant nuclei in the laboratory frame is first adiabatically converted into the dipolar order, and then, into the Zeeman order of rare nuclei. The scheme, implemented with two low-power frequency-sweeping pulses, is very efficient for static samples and can significantly increase polarization of rare nuclei, compared to the conventional Hartmann-Hahn cross polarization. The experimental examples are presented for a solid, liquid crystal, and small molecules in a liquid-crystalline solvent.

Constant-time method for measuring inter-nuclear distances in static powders.

We present a constant-time modification of a single-echo 2D technique for measuring the constants of spin-spin interaction between heteronuclei in static powder samples. Compared to the sequence with variable echo time, the new scheme provides higher resolution. Another important improvement is a possibility to eliminate the central peak from a natural-abundance matrix. The experimental results are presented for glycine-[13Calpha, 15N] and glycine-[13C', 15N].

Detection of multiple-quantum coherences with projective nuclear magnetic resonance measurement.

It is shown that in nuclear magnetic resonance, multiple-quantum (MQ) coherences can be detected "instantly" by exploiting the principle of quantum-mechanical projective measurement. Therefore, the mixing period, which involves collective multispin dynamics and converts MQ coherences into observable single-quantum coherence (magnetization), is not necessary. The experimental examples are given for two finite clusters: benzene in liquid crystal and liquid crystal 4'-n-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl, and for solid adamantane with an infinite network of dipolar couplings.

Accurate measurement of 13C-15N distances with solid-state NMR.

Solid-state NMR technique for measuring distances between heteronuclei in static powder samples is described. It is based on a two-dimensional single-echo scheme enhanced with adiabatic cross polarization. As an example, the results for intramolecular distances in alpha-crystalline form of glycine are presented. The measured NMR distances (13)C(alpha)-(15)N and (13)C(')-(15)N are 1.496+/-0.002 and 2.50+/-0.02 A, respectively.

Adiabatic cross-polarization via intermediate dipolar-ordered state.

It is experimentally demonstrated that an adiabatic demagnetization-remagnetization in the laboratory frame, where the Zeeman order of abundant nuclei is first adiabatically converted into the dipolar order, and then, into the Zeeman order of rare nuclei, can significantly increase polarization of rare nuclei compared to the conventional cross-polarization technique.

Experimental demonstration of quantum state expansion in a cluster of dipolar-coupled nuclear spins.

It is experimentally demonstrated that an arbitrary quantum state of a single spin 1/2, a| upward arrow+b| downward arrow, can be converted into a superposition of the two ferromagnetic states of a spin cluster: a| upward arrow upward arrow... upward arrow upward arrow+b| downward arrow downward arrow... downward arrow downward arrow. The physical system is a cluster of seven dipolar-coupled nuclear spins of single-labeled 13C-benzene molecules in a liquid-crystalline matrix. In this complex system, the pseudopure ground state and the required controlled unitary transformations have been implemented. The experimental scheme can be considered as an explicit model of quantum measurement.

Pseudopure state of a twelve-spin system.

Pseudopure states of a system of twelve interacting spins are experimentally demonstrated. The system is a cluster of dipolar-coupled nuclear spins of fully labeled (13)C(6)-benzene in a liquid crystalline matrix. At present, this is the largest and the most complex composite system where individual quantum states have been addressed.

Quantum amplifier: measurement with entangled spins.

It is experimentally demonstrated that entangled quantum states can be used to amplify perturbations and to increase changes in observable values. The physical system is seven nuclear spins of single-labeled (13)C-benzene in a liquid crystalline matrix. An entangled state of six proton spins was used to monitor interaction with the (13)C spin.

Nuclear magnetic resonance study of self-diffusion in liquid crystals.

A simple and accurate pulsed-gradient nuclear magnetic resonance technique for measuring coefficients of self-diffusion in liquid crystals is described. It is based on exciting sharp response signals with long weak pulses. The method uses an extremely weak radio-frequency field, which eliminates the problem of radio-frequency heating of the sample. The temperature dependencies of coefficients of self-diffusion for two liquid crystals, 5CB (4-pentyl-4(')-cyanobiphenyl) and EBBA (N-(4-ethoxybenzylidene)-4-butylaniline), are presented.

High-resolution NMR imaging of objects with dipolar-broadened spectra.

It is shown that, in some substances with dipolar-broadened conventional NMR spectra, it is possible to use long-lived coherent response signals, excited by long and weak radiofrequency pulses, for producing NMR images with high spatial resolution. Compared to other techniques, the method does not require high field gradients or strong radiofrequency fields, and therefore, can be applied to large objects.

Phase-modulated heteronuclear decoupling in NMR of solids.

A theoretical description of heteronuclear decoupling in solids, which takes into account homonuclear dipole-dipole interactions and spinning of the sample, is presented. Based on this analysis, a simple and efficient decoupling sequence nPPM is introduced. It consists of n/4 TPPM subcycles, followed by another n/4 subcycles with reversed phases.