Squid detected NMR and MRI at ultralow fields

Apparatus for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging of a sample, comprising:

• prepolarization coils for providing a millitesla magnetic field for prepolarizing nuclear spins in the sample;
• measurement coils for providing a microtesla magnetic field for detecting nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals from the sample;
• an untuned low critical temperature (Tc) superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer for detecting nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals from the sample;
• and,
• a computer having stored therein software that controls the prepolarization coils, and processes inputs received from the SQUID magnetometer, whereby NMR or MRI images of the sample may be constructed.

A method for detecting heteronuclear scalar couplings in a sample, comprising:

• prepolarizing nuclear spins in the sample in a millitesla magnetic field;
• detecting nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals from the sample in a microtesla magnetic field with an untuned low critical temperature (Tc) superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer;
• and
• detecting heteronuclear scalar couplings from the NMR signals.