Pure absorption-mode spectra using a modulated RF mixing period in MQMAS experiments

Different approaches to obtain pure absorption-mode lineshapes in MQMAS experiments employing a train of 180 degrees phase-alternating pulses for the multiple-quantum to single-quantum mixing period are investigated. Four pulse sequences, which achieve this by using either the shifted-echo approach or the hypercomplex approach with symmetric coherence transfer pathways, are presented and their improved lineshape- and sensitivity-performance is experimentally demonstrated by (87)Rb MQMAS of RbNO(3). Compared to the original modulated-rf mixing sequence, sensitivity enhancements by factors up to 1.3 are obtained with the sequences described here.