Journal of Magnetic Resonance Open · Published 2026-02-11 · DOI 10.1016/j.jmro.2026.100216
We propose small and simplified magnets above 50 Tesla for wide dissemination to the NMR community. High temperature superconductor (HTS) with high current densities readily provide a viable path to a new generation of magnets for NMR which are smaller, better, and cheaper. A key innovation we foresee is the reduction of NMR magnet mandrels (a.k.a. winding bobbins) from typically employed diameter of >100 mm to smaller than 15 mm. Conventional NMR probes are far too large in diameter to fit into such small magnet bores and are unfavorably long due to the distance from the homogenous region of the magnet to the edge of the bore. Instead, we envision narrow (<10 mm diameter) and short (<20 mm length) extensions of the probe inside the magnet bore. Additionally, interior to the bore will be a stator housing a magic angle spinning (MAS) sphere. Exterior to the bore, radio frequency circuity and other probe component dimensions will therefore be unrestricted, and uncoupled, from magnet geometry. Moreover, MAS spheres together with narrow bore HTS magnets will be the keystone technology enabling solid state NMR above 50 Tesla. We also consider effects of magnetic susceptibility and symmetry of components near the sample to ultimately acquire high-resolution NMR spectra. Possible avenues for thermal isolation between the magnet and sample are considered for experiments in a temperature range of 4 to 400 Kelvin. These magnets will be small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Shrinking the overall size of NMR magnets will improve dissemination as the production costs and required laboratory space will be significantly smaller. The small magnets will have 5 Gauss radii of less than a meter without active shielding—making them easier to site and easier to manufacture. With this new paradigm of enhanced technology, NMR spectroscopists will be well-positioned to push the frontiers of science ahead in the future.
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