NMR methods applied to anisotropic diffusion

• The methodology of NMR experiments intended to measure anisotropic diffusion is reviewed. Experiments of this kind preferably require oriented samples and/or orientation-dependent spin coupling and/or magnetic field gradients in different directions. One strategy of diffusion experiments in anisotropic systems with broad NMR lines employs line narrowing techniques, thereby allowing for efficient gradient encoding/decoding. Depending on the nuclei, spin couplings and samples, the preferred methods vary from decoupling through echo techniques to magic angle sample orientation and spinning. Another avenue to efficient gradient encoding/decoding is through very strong magnetic field gradients. Either way, anisotropic diffusion reveals new structural features as illustrated by a few selected examples in liquid crystals and in biological tissues.

Keyword

NMR

self-diffusion

diffusion tenser magnetic resonance imaging

orientation

alignment

spin decoupling

magic echo

activation energy

obstruction

restricted diffusion

zeolite

thermotropic liquid crystal

lyotropic liquid crystal

surfactant

lipid

biomembrane

tissue

intracellular and extracellular water

white matter

muscle

pulsed-field-gradient

nuclear-magnetic-resonance

lyotropic liquid-crystals

water self-diffusion

spin-echo nmr

studying translational diffusion

lipid lateral diffusion

pgse nmr

diblock copolymer

skeletal-muscle

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