LimsPulse
Spectroscopy

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer

Places a sample in a strong magnetic field and measures how atomic nuclei such as ¹H and ¹³C absorb radio waves. Gives detailed structural information and, with qNMR, absolute purity without a reference standard of the analyte.

  • Pharmaceutical
  • Biotech
  • Chemicals
  • Academia & research
  • Food (authenticity)
  • Petrochemical
Photo of a Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer
Photo: Sarka Na kopci, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

Maintenance checklist

Daily / each use

  • Check lock level and shim quality on a standard if results look poor
  • Check the sample changer and air supply

Weekly

  • Record liquid helium and nitrogen levels
  • Fill liquid nitrogen as scheduled (high-field magnets)
  • Run a line-shape or sensitivity test sample

Every few months

  • Liquid helium fill by trained staff or the vendor (interval depends on the magnet)
  • Review performance trends (line-shape, ¹H sensitivity)

Annual

  • Preventive maintenance and full performance verification by the vendor
  • Calibration or verification of the temperature unit and pulse widths
SAFETY

Safety precautions

Before you work on the NMR
  • The magnet is always on. Keep ferromagnetic objects (tools, gas cylinders, chairs) outside the marked 5 gauss line; they can be pulled in with great force.
  • Strong fields can stop pacemakers and affect implants; such people must stay out of the restricted zone.
  • Liquid helium and nitrogen are cryogenic: wear a face shield and cryo gloves, and ensure room oxygen monitors work. A quench releases large volumes of helium gas.
  • Deuterated solvents such as chloroform-d are toxic; prepare samples in a fume hood.
  • Handle glass NMR tubes carefully; they are thin and break easily.
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management

Keep every NMR in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.

See how