An NMR thermometer for cryogenic magic-angle spinning NMR: the spin-lattice relaxation of (127)I in cesium iodide

The accurate temperature measurement of solid samples under magic-angle spinning (MAS) is difficult in the cryogenic regime. It has been demonstrated by Thurber et al. (J. Magn. Reson., 196 (2009) 84-87) [10] that the temperature dependent spin-lattice relaxation time constant of ⁷⁹Br in KBr powder can be useful for measuring sample temperature under MAS over a wide temperature range (20–296 K). However the value of T₁ exceeds 3 min at temperatures below 20 K, which is inconveniently long. In this communication, we show that the spin-lattice relaxation time constant of ¹²⁷I in CsI powder can be used to accurately measure sample temperature under MAS within a reasonable experimental time down to 10 K.     

The efficacy of tilted axial MRI of the CNS

The angle between the straight axial plane and the orbito-meatal line was measured in 156 consecutive magnetic resonance examinations. Inconsistent head positioning caused this angle to vary by as much as 44 degrees. Careful positioning of the patient by the technologist can minimize this variability, leading potentially to improved image interpretation. To assess the merit of a standardized orientation for MR examinations of the head, straight axial and tilted axial MR scans were compared in 34 patients. The tilted images were obtained parallel to the orbito-meatal line and were found to be superior for visualization of the cerebellum. When correlative x-ray CTs are available or when an abnormality in the posterior fossa is suspected, tilted axial MR scans should be employed.     

Correlations of peaks of Gaussian random fields

The high peaks of a Gaussian random field are studied. Asymptotic expansions, appropriate for high peak thresholds and large spatial separations, are developed for theN-point correlation functions of the number density of high peaks, in terms of the two-point correlation of the underlying Gaussian field. Similar expressions are derived for the correlations of points, not necessarily the positions of peaks, where the field exceeds a high threshold.Work supported in part by U.S. Department of Energy under contract DEAC03-81-ER40050.KFAS Graduate FellowAlfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellow and supported in part by U.S. Department of Energy Outstanding Junior Investigator Program under contract No. DE-FG03-84 ER40172     

Acousto-optic diffraction at liquid-solid interface with light incident at critical angle

A new acousto-optic diffraction configuration is described. At a liquid-solid interface, a light beam is incident from the solid side of higher refractive index. The maximum acousto-optic diffraction of the Raman-Nath type occurs in the liquid with light incident at the critical angle. The angular dependence of the diffraction efficiency indicates accurate optical alignment requirement. Application to acoustic imaging is briefly discussed.     

Structure of129Ba from the decay of129La

The structure of¹²⁹Ba is investigated through the beta decay of¹²⁹La, whose half-life is measured to be 11.6±0.2 m. The decay properties are studied by means of beta, gamma and conversion electron spectroscopy techniques. Many transitions are observed and a level scheme of¹²⁹Ba with deduced¹²⁹Ba values is proposed. The total decay energy of¹²⁹Ba is measured to be 3.72±0.05 MeV, which is compared with predictions of mass formulae. Low-lying structure of¹²⁹Ba is discussed in terms of collective models.