Detection using microwave assisted NQR

摘要

A system and method for detecting at least one compound in a material under test (MUT) is presented. The system includes a Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) frequency generator that generates an NQR frequency (fNQR) and propagates the fNQR frequency toward the MUT. A microwave frequency generator generates a microwave frequency (fmw) and propagates the fmw frequency toward the MUT. A RF output probe detects radio frequency (RF) emissions returned from the MUT. A detector detects the at least one compound based, at least in part, on whether the RF emissions returned from the MUT include any frequencies corresponding to fmw+/−(n×fNQR), where n is an integer of 2 or greater. In the preferred embodiment, n=2.

主权项

1. A system for detecting at least one compound in a material under test comprising:
a Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance frequency generator configured to generate an Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance frequency (fNQR) and adapted to propagate the Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance frequency to the material under test; a microwave frequency generator to generate a microwave frequency (fMW) and adapted to propagate the microwave frequency to the material under test; a radio frequency input probe for to propagate the Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance frequency to the material under test; a radio frequency output probe adapted to detect returned radio frequency signals which are returned from the material under test; a waveguide for receiving the returned radio frequency signals which are returned from the material under test; wherein the radio frequency input probe is near a first end of the waveguide and the radio frequency output probe is near a second end of the waveguide; wherein the material under test is located in the waveguide and located between the radio frequency input probe and the radio frequency output probe; and a detector adapted to detect the at least one compound based, at least in part, on whether the returned radio frequency signals which are returned from the material under test include frequencies corresponding to fMW+/−(n×fNQR), where n is an integer of 2 or greater.