Patent ID: 7015693

Claim:
An improvement in a magnetic resonance method for determining the mass of samples in a production line wherein the samples comprise powdered solid materials, comprising: applying a first magnetic field in a first direction in an interrogation zone for creating a net magnetisation within a sample located within the interrogation zone; applying an alternating magnetic field in a second direction in the interrogation zone for temporarily changing the net magnetisation of the sample located within the interrogation zone; monitoring energy emitted by the sample as the net magnetisation of the sample returns to its original state and generating an output signal having a characteristic which is proportional to the energy emitted; comparing the output signal characteristic with like data obtained from at least one similar sample of known mass; and, determining the mass of the sample; characterised by: applying the first magnetic field having a field strength in the range of about 0.1 T to about 1.3 T; applying the alternating magnetic field to the sample; monitoring the free induction decay energy of the sample and generating an output free induction decay signal corresponding thereto.