Next-Gen Spectroscopy Unleashed with PC Cards

PC cards from Spectrum Instrumentation are playing a pivotal role in revolutionizing the field of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. These cards are being utilized to significantly reduce the size and weight of the magnets used in next-generation spectroscopy systems, leading to groundbreaking advancements in the industry.

One of the key players in this innovation is Bridge12, a company based in the US, which has successfully integrated Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) cards from Spectrum Instrumentation in Germany into their spectrometer design. The result is a spectrometer that is not only half the cost but also one-tenth the size and weight of existing systems. This breakthrough allows the spectrometer to be easily deployed on any floor of a building, a feat that was previously unattainable.

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, also known as Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, is a technique that focuses on studying the nature of unpaired electrons, as opposed to nuclei like protons, as in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Widely used in the fields of chemistry, biology, material science, and physics, EPR spectroscopy provides valuable insights into the electronic structure of metal complexes and organic radicals.

Traditionally, EPR spectroscopy has been hindered by the requirement of massive electromagnets, often weighing over a ton, which limited their placement to basements. However, Bridge12's innovative system leverages a pair of AWG cards from Spectrum Instrumentation to generate pulses and a Digitizer to capture signals, eliminating the need for bulky electromagnets and enabling more flexible deployment options.

Over the past few decades, EPR spectroscopy has undergone significant evolution, thanks to advancements in radar technology and mobile telecommunications. This progress has led to the development of hardware utilizing microwave technology operating at higher frequencies for enhanced resolution. While EPR spectrometers historically operated at 10 GHz (X-Band), the advent of 5G technology has enabled the use of commercial equipment at frequencies as high as 35 GHz (Q band), greatly enhancing the capabilities of these systems.