The virtual NMR spectrometer: a computer program for efficient simulation of NMR experiments involving pulsed field gradients

This paper presents a software program, the Virtual NMR Spectrometer, for computer simulation of multichannel, multidimensional NMR experiments on user-defined spin systems. The program is capable of reproducing most features of the modern NMR experiment, including homo- and heteronuclear pulse sequences, phase cycling, pulsed field gradients, and shaped pulses. Two different approaches are implemented to simulate the effect of pulsed field gradients on coherence selection, an explicit calculation of all coherence transfer pathways, and an effective approximate method using integration over multiple positions in the sample. The applications of the Virtual NMR Spectrometer are illustrated using homonuclear COSY and DQF COSY experiments with gradient selection, heteronuclear HSQC, and TROSY. The program uses an intuitive graphical user interface, which resembles the appearance and operation of a real spectrometer. A translator is used to allow the user to design pulse sequences with the same programming language used in the actual experiment on a real spectrometer. The Virtual NMR Spectrometer is designed as a useful tool for developing new NMR experiments and for tuning and adjusting the experimental setup for existing ones prior to running costly NMR experiments, in order to reduce the setup time on a real spectrometer. It will also be a useful aid for learning the general principles of magnetic resonance and contemporary innovations in NMR pulse sequence design.     

基于Eclipse图形建模框架的图形化脉冲序列设计软件的实现

采用Eclipse图形建模框架（Graphical Modeling Framework,GMF）技术构建了一个图形化磁共振脉冲序列设计软件．软件具备所见即所得的特点,用户使用拖放方式所画出的脉冲序列与教科书和参考文献上的脉冲序列几乎一样．软件支持核磁共振（Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,NMR）波谱和磁共振成像（Magnetic Resonance Imaging,MRI）的脉冲序列设计,同时提供实验参数管理模块,实现脉冲序列基础上的NMR实验设计和执行预览．得益于GMF完善的模型-视图-控制器模式和强大的代码生成能力,软件开发周期大幅度缩短、扩展能力大幅度提高．     

Correspondence between spin-dynamic phases and pulse program phases of NMR spectrometers

Spin state selective experiments have become very useful tools in solution NMR spectroscopy, particularly in the context of TROSY line narrowing. However, the practical implementation of such pulse sequences is frequently complicated by unexpected instrument behavior. Furthermore, a literal theoretical analysis of sequences published with specific phase settings can fail to rationalize such experiments and can seemingly contradict experimental findings. In this communication, we develop a practical approach to this ostensible paradox. Spin-dynamic design, rationalization, and simulation of NMR pulse sequences, as well as their confident and reliable implementation across current spectrometer hardware platforms, require precise understanding of the underlying nutation axis conventions. While currently often approached empirically, we demonstrate with a simple but general pulse program how to uncover these correspondences a priori in the general case. From this, we deduce a correspondence table between the spin-dynamic phases used in NMR theory and simulation on the one hand and pulse program phases of current commercial spectrometers on the other. As a practical application of these results, we analyze implementations of the original (1)H-(15)N TROSY experiment and illustrate how steady-state magnetization can be predictably, rather than empirically, added to a desired component. We show why and under which circumstances a literal adoption of phases from published sequences can lead to incorrect results. We suggest that pulse sequences should be consistently given with spin-dynamically correct (physical) phases, rather than in spectrometer-specific (software) syntax.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance in inhomogeneous magnetic fields

The response of the spin system has been investigated by numerical simulations in the case of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment performed in inhomogeneous static and radiofrequency fields. The particular case of the NMR-MOUSE was considered. The static field and the component of the radiofrequency field perpendicular to the static field were evaluated as well as the spatial distribution of the maximum NMR signal detected by the surface coil. The NMR response to various pulse sequences was evaluated numerically for the case of an ensemble of isolated spins (1/2). The behavior of the echo train in Carr-Purcell-like pulse sequences used for measurements of transverse relaxation and self-diffusion was simulated and compared with the experiment. The echo train is shown to behave qualitatively differently depending on the particular phase schemes used in these pulse sequences. Different echo trains are obtained, because of the different superposition of Hahn and stimulated echoes forming mixed echoes as a result of the spatial distribution of pulse flip angles. The superposition of Hahn and stimulated echoes originating from different spatial regions leads to distortions of the mixed echoes in intensity, shape, and phase. The volume selection produced by Carr-Purcell-like pulse sequences is also investigated for the NMR-MOUSE. The developed numerical simulation procedure is useful for understanding a variety of experiments performed with the NMR-MOUSE and for improving its performance. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

ODIN-object-oriented development interface for NMR

A cross-platform development environment for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments is presented. It allows rapid prototyping of new pulse sequences and provides a common programming interface for different system types. With this object-oriented interface implemented in C++, the programmer is capable of writing applications to control an experiment that can be executed on different measurement devices, even from different manufacturers, without the need to modify the source code. Due to the clear design of the software, new pulse sequences can be created, tested, and executed within a short time. To post-process the acquired data, an interface to well-known numerical libraries is part of the framework. This allows a transparent integration of the data processing instructions into the measurement module. The software focuses mainly on NMR imaging, but can also be used with limitations for spectroscopic experiments. To demonstrate the capabilities of the framework, results of the same experiment, carried out on two NMR imaging systems from different manufacturers are shown and compared with the results of a simulation.     

Spectral simulations incorporating gradient coherence selection.

Computer-aided methods can considerably simplify the use of the product operator formalism for theoretical analysis of NMR phenomena, which otherwise becomes unwieldy for anything but simple spin systems and pulse sequences. In this report, two previously available programming approaches using symbolic algebra (J. Shriver, Concepts Magn. Reson. 4, 1-33, 1992) and numerical simulation using object-oriented programming (S. A. Smith, T. O. Levante, B. H. Meier, and R. R. Ernst, J. Magn. Reson. A 106, 75-105, 1994) have been extended to include the use of gradient operators for simulation of spatially localized NMR spectroscopy and gradient coherence selection. These methods are demonstrated using an analysis of the response of an AX(3) spin system to the STEAM pulse sequence and verified with experimental measurements on lactate.     

A simulation algorithm based on Bloch equations and product operator matrix: application to dipolar and scalar couplings

A product operator matrix is proposed to describe scalar couplings in liquid NMR. Combination of the product operator matrix and non-linear Bloch equations is employed to describe effects of chemical shift, translational diffusion, dipolar field, radiation damping, and relaxation in multiple spin systems with both scalar and dipolar couplings. A new simulation algorithm based on this approach is used to simulate NMR signals from dipolar field effects in the presence of scalar couplings. Several typical coupled spin systems with both intra-molecular scalar couplings and inter-molecular dipolar couplings are simulated. Monte Carlo methods are incorporated into simulations as well to analyze diffusion process in these complicated spin systems. The simulated results of diffusion and relaxation parameters and 2D NMR spectra are coincident with the experimental measurements, and agree with theoretical predictions as well. The simulation algorithm presented herein therefore provides a convenient means for designing pulse sequences and quantifying experimental results in complex coupled spin systems.     

Ising耦合体系中量子傅里叶变换的优化

量子傅里叶变换是量子计算中一种重要的量子逻辑门. 任意量子位的傅里叶变换可以分解为一系列普适的单比特量子逻辑门和两比特量子逻辑门, 这种分解方式使得傅里叶变换的实验实现简单直观, 但所用的实验时间显然不是最短的. 本文利用优化控制和数值计算方法对Ising耦合体系中多量子位傅里叶变换的实验时间进行优化, 优化后的实现方法明显短于传统方法. 优化方法的核磁共振实验实现验证了其有效性.     

GAVA: spectral simulation for in vivo MRS applications

An application that provides a flexible and easy to use interface to the GAMMA spectral simulation package is described that is targeted at investigations using in vivo MR spectroscopic methods. The program makes available a number of widely used spatially localized MRS pulse sequences and NMR parameters for commonly observed tissue metabolites, enabling spectra to be simulated for any pulse sequence parameter and viewed in an integrated display. The application is interfaced with a database for storage of all simulation parameters and results of the simulations. This application provides a convenient method for generating a priori spectral information used in parametric spectral analyses and for visual examination of the effects of difference pulse sequences and parameter settings.     

Selective time-reversal pulses for NMR imaging

Using a nonlinear systems approach, a selective time-reversal pulse for multiple-slice-multiple-echo NMR imaging sequences has been developed. The results of both computer simulation and experiments on a 1.5 T imaging system demonstrate the markedly improved selectivity of the pulse compared to conventional time-reversal pulses.     

液体多脉冲及二维FT-NMR实验的乘积算符描述的计算机模拟

本文报道了利用乘积算符方法分析多脉冲及二维FT-NMR实验的模拟程序PROPER-MT.该程序对分析弱耦合I_mS_n(I=1/2;S=(1)/2;1 ≤ m十n<4)自旋体系实验脉冲序列是普遍适用的;它可给出实验过程中体系任何时刻算符的解析表达式.用PROPER-MT程序对一些典型的多脉冲及二维FT-NMR实验进行了模拟,特别对多量子滤波及多自旋滤波脉冲序列进行了分析计算,得到了预期的结果.     

组合脉冲宽带去耦

本文在理论分析的基础上,提出了一新的用于异核宽带去耦的组合脉冲:90°(X)150°(Y)70°(-Y)150°(Y)90°(X)。理论和实验表明,由此组合脉冲组成的去耦序列:NEW-16、NEW-32,去耦谱宽比常用的去耦序列:MLEV-16、WALTZ-16的去耦谱宽增加约30%。本文还提出了一种电路,使现已提出的大多数组合脉冲去耦序列,能在Varian XL-200 NMB谱仪上实现。     

Optimal control based NCO and NCA experiments for spectral assignment in biological solid-state NMR spectroscopy

We present novel pulse sequences for magic-angle-spinning solid-state NMR structural studies of (13)C,(15)N-isotope labeled proteins. The pulse sequences have been designed numerically using optimal control procedures and demonstrate superior performance relative to previous methods with respect to sensitivity, robustness to instrumental errors, and band-selective excitation profiles for typical biological solid-state NMR applications. Our study addresses specifically (15)N to (13)C coherence transfers being important elements in spectral assignment protocols for solid-state NMR structural characterization of uniformly (13)C,(15)N-labeled proteins. The pulse sequences are analyzed in detail and their robustness towards spin system and external experimental parameters are illustrated numerically for typical (15)N-(13)C spin systems under high-field solid-state NMR conditions. Experimentally the methods are demonstrated by 1D (15)N-->(13)C coherence transfer experiments, as well as 2D and 3D (15)N,(13)C and (15)N,(13)C,(13)C chemical shift correlation experiments on uniformly (13)C,(15)N-labeled ubiquitin.     

Design of Pulse Sequences for Solvent Suppression and Uniform Excitation. Application to Observing Hemoglobin in Solution and Inside Red Blood Cells

A general method of selective excitation design for shaped pulses and pulse sequences is presented, based on analysis of the derivatives of M₊ (Δω), where M₊ is the transverse magnetization and Δω is the resonance-offset frequency. We use this method to derive pulse sequences which suppress the solvent resonance at one offset frequency and produce uniform-phase and -amplitude excitation at another offset frequency. Two families of pulse sequences are presented: small-flip-angle asymmetric pulse sequences and large-flip-angle symmetric pulse sequences. Experimental application of the pulse sequences is given for observing ¹H NMR resonances of carbonmonoxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin (deoxy-Hb) in aqueous solution and deoxy-Hb inside intact red blood cells.     

Homonuclear zero-quantum recoupling in fast magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance

Solid-state magic-angle-spinning NMR pulse sequences which implement zero-quantum homonuclear dipolar recoupling are designed with the assistance of symmetry theory. The pulse sequences are compensated on a short time scale by the use of composite pulses and on a longer time scale by the use of supercycles. (13)C dipolar recoupling is demonstrated in powdered organic solids at high spinning frequencies. The new sequences are compared to existing pulse sequences by means of numerical simulations. Experimental two-dimensional magnetization exchange spectra are shown for [U-(13)C]-L-tyrosine.     

优化重聚脉冲提高梯度场核磁共振信号强度

缩短射频脉冲宽度, 有助于解决脉冲电力消耗大、样品吸收率高、信噪比低等极端条件核磁共振探测的关键问题. 本文首先分析射频脉冲角度对核磁共振自旋回波信号强度的影响机理, 基于Bloch方程推导了回波信号幅度与扳转角、重聚角的关系. 在特制核磁共振分析仪上采用变脉冲角度技术, 分别在均匀磁场和梯度磁场条件下实现对扳转角和重聚角与回波信号强度关系的数值模拟和实验测量. 结果表明, 梯度场中, 扳转角为90°、重聚角为140°的射频脉冲组合获得最大首波信号强度, 比180°脉冲对应的回波幅值提高13%, 能耗降低至78%. 选用该重聚角(140°) 优化设计饱和恢复脉冲序列探测流体的纵向弛豫时间T₁特性, 准确获得 T₁分布.该结果对于低电力供应、且对信噪比有较高要求的核磁共振测量, 如随钻核磁共振测井和在线核磁共振快速检测等, 具有重要意义. 关键词： 核磁共振 信号强度 重聚脉冲角度 Bloch方程     

Optimal control of coupled spin dynamics: design of NMR pulse sequences by gradient ascent algorithms

In this paper, we introduce optimal control algorithm for the design of pulse sequences in NMR spectroscopy. This methodology is used for designing pulse sequences that maximize the coherence transfer between coupled spins in a given specified time, minimize the relaxation effects in a given coherence transfer step or minimize the time required to produce a given unitary propagator, as desired. The application of these pulse engineering methods to design pulse sequences that are robust to experimentally important parameter variations, such as chemical shift dispersion or radiofrequency (rf) variations due to imperfections such as rf inhomogeneity is also explained.     

SPINEVOLUTION: a powerful tool for the simulation of solid and liquid state NMR experiments

Exact numerical simulations of NMR experiments are often required for the development of new techniques and for the extraction of structural and dynamic information from the spectra. Simulations of solid-state magic angle spinning (MAS) experiments can be particularly demanding both computationally and in terms of the programming required to carry them out, even if special simulation software is used. We recently developed a number of approaches that dramatically improve the efficiency and allow a high degree of automation of these computations. In the present paper, we describe SPINEVOLUTION, a highly optimized computer program that implements the new methodology. The algorithms used in the program will be described separately. Although particularly efficient for the simulation of experiments with complex pulse sequences and multi-spin systems in solids, SPINEVOLUTION is a versatile and easy to use tool for the simulation and optimization of virtually any NMR experiment. The performance of SPINEVOLUTION was compared with that of another recently developed NMR simulation package, SIMPSON. Benchmarked on a series of examples, SPINEVOLUTION was consistently found to be orders of magnitude faster. At the time of publication, the program is available gratis for non-commercial use.     

D-T2二维核磁共振脉冲序列及反演方法改进设计

面对日益复杂的勘探对象, D-T₂二维核磁共振技术在实际应用中面临无法兼顾扩散系数测量范围和横向弛豫分辨率的困境. 脉冲序列作为D-T₂二维核磁共振数据采集的核心技术, 其性能优劣直接影响应用效果, 在综合对比PFG, STE-PFG, BP-PFG、改良式CPMG, 扩散编程, 多回波间隔CPMG脉冲序列性能的基础上, 有效融合脉冲梯度场、恒定梯度场D-T₂脉冲序列的优点, 本文提出一种基于脉冲梯度场的双变量、两窗口D-T₂脉冲序列改进设计. 针对两个窗口的D-T₂二维核磁共振数据反演, 为突破现有反演方法无法兼顾反演精度和解谱效率的瓶颈, 本着第二个窗口回波信号为主、第一个窗口回波信号为辅的原则, 本文提出一种同时使用两个窗口数据参与解谱的联合TSVD反演方法. 气水、油水、稠油、油气水模型不同信噪比条件下的数值模拟结果表明, 本文提供的D-T₂改进脉冲序列达到了平衡扩散系数测量范围和横向弛豫分辨率的设计要求, 本文提供的联合TSVD反演方法也有效平衡了反演精度要求和解谱效率. 文中的D-T₂改进脉冲序列及联合TSVD反演方法在复杂油气藏流体识别和产能预测中具有广泛的应用前景, 可为促进国内D-T₂二维核磁共振岩心分析技术的发展提供有利条件.