Author: Tanya

So, you ask, what will we gain by having this new 600 MHz available?

• Variable temperature – this system will be capable of running experiments from -120C to +100C.  The system has a BCU temp accessory, which allow much better temperature stability with moderate changes in temp; ie -20C to +40C.
• Increased signal and peak dispersion for all nuclei.  You will notice immediately that your 13C spectra are much improved via sensitivity and signal dispersion. If you have a complex spectrum with a mess of overlapping peaks – this is your NMR.  Also note that the CCIC is currently installing a 700 MHz with a 13C direct observe cryoprobe.  This system will have incredible 13C signals.
• 24-tube sample changer.  After the Bruker engineer is finished running all the specs, I will work on the configuration of this system.  Will it be running in automation or manually?  I’m not sure yet, but hoping that we can mix the two easily.  Check back for updates.
• Water suppression.  A 600 MHz spectrometer is usually the ‘go-to’ field for biomolecular samples.  You’ll be able to run all sorts of water suppression experiments – 1D and 2D.

Access

There are a few users that will be my ‘test subjects’ in order to optimize the auto vs. manual setup.  These folks have already been informed and regularly use the DPX400 and DRX500 for more advanced experiments.  The next group to get access will be all DRX500 users.  After that, you may request training via FOM.  Please indicate your research needs to justify why you’ll need the higher field.

 

The 600 MHz system is almost ready for samples.  The service engineer arrives tomorrow to assemble the sample changer and run all the specifications on the BBFO probe.  This should only take 2-3 days which means the system will be ‘ours’ next week.  Check back soon for updates.

The 600 MHz is being prepared for energizing to field.  First, the vacuum insulation is pumped down with turbo pumps to achieve a high-vacuum (~10-8).

 

Today, the liquid nitrogen tank is being cooled and filled.  The liquid helium chamber is being pre-cooled to N2(l) temperature.  Tomorrow they will cool and fill the liquid He chamber with He(l).

 

 

Once cooled, the magnet can be slowly energized and brought to field.  This system will require ~5 hrs to energize (assuming no quench), compared with 5-8 days for the 850 MHz.  Once energized, they will spend a day shimming the cryo-temp shims.  The magnet will need a few wks to settle – during this time the console will be installed and tested.

The 600 magnet is here!  It arrived this afternoon and wheeled down to the new NMR lab in CBEC. It will be lifted onto its legs this evening and find its final resting place in the morning.  Check back often for updates in the next few weeks as it is cooled, energized, and ready to collect data.

Wheeled into CBEC

 

Gantry in place for lifting out of the crate

 

Our ‘high’ field looking a little small next to the new 850 MHz!

 

 

Lifted up and ready for legs.  The 800 MHz in the background.

 

Yesterday was eventful in the new CBEC NMR facility.  The 850 MHz reached the magnet field of 20 Telsa.  It will rest at this field for two days before the cryoshimming begins.  The Bruker engineers will spend 10 days cryoshimming before the tests on the probes and console begin.  The CCIC 800 MHz NMR arrived yesterday and is being assembled in preparation for pumping the vacuum chambers and cooling.  This instrument will be configured with micro-imaging and diffusion accessories as well as a narrow-bore solid state NMR probe.

 

The CBC 600 MHz will arrive any day now….