Patent ID: 6577128
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: G01N,G01R

Abstract:
A method of Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance testing a sample containing quadrupolar nuclei exhibiting a given value of spin-lattice relaxation time, T1, the method comprising:applying a first excitation block, the first excitation block comprising a plurality of pulses which are such as to generate multiple echo signals; accumulating signals generated by the first excitation block to yield a first response signal; applying a second excitation block, the second excitation block comprising a plurality of pulses which are such as to generate multiple echo signals, at least the majority of the pulses being substantially the same as the corresponding pulses in said first excitation block; accumulating signals generated by the second excitation block to yield a second response signal; and comparing the first and second response signals; wherein the time between the end of the first excitation block and the beginning of the second excitation block is less than the T1 value of the nuclei.