How (and why) to determine NMR spectrometer’s noise figure?

Abstract

Abstract In the last decade or two, it seems that the trend of technological advance in NMR spectroscopy cannot follow the trend of desire to measure NMR samples with gradually lower response signals. Recently, an accurate noise model, based on the concept of noise figure, of the most sensitive part of the NMR spectroscopy system from the aspect of noise, which is its probe-to-spectrometer receiving chain, was introduced. The main purpose of this model is to optimize the used NMR spectroscopy system and, ultimately, enable measuring NMR samples with even lower response signals than the ones measured today. All the parameters of the NMR spectroscopy system, used in the introduced model, can be easily measured using vector network analyzers and noise figure meters, or can be found in the datasheets of the respective elements, except the spectrometer’s receiving chain noise figure. In this contribution, the process of spectrometer’s receiving chain noise figure measurement, performed using the Twice Power Method, is described. A block diagram representation of the spectrometer’s receiving chain is presented here, as well as its approximative model. The respective noise figure measurement results, which are also presented, explain the general tendency of using the mid-range of the spectrometer’s gain control level when performing the actual NMR measurements.