title: Optimal EPR detection of weak nitroxide spin adduct and ascorbyl free radical signals.
abstract: We have investigated the optimal nominal power settings for the electron paramagnetic resonance detection of typical nitroxides, nitroxide spin adducts, and the ascorbyl free radical. In room temperature aqueous solution, we find that, for all the nitroxides examined, saturation effects begin at approx. 25 mW nominal power with maximum signal intensity achieved at approx. 100 mW power when using a TM110 cavity. For the ascorbyl free radical, we find that saturation effects begin at approx. 16 mW nominal power and that maximum peak-to-peak signal amplitude is obtained at approx. 40 mW microwave power. For the ascorbyl free radical, we find that a modulation amplitude of approx. 0.65 G yields the maximum signal height for the doublet signal. This information will help researchers maximize the EPR signal height of minimally detectable free radicals such as encountered in biological systems.
authors.affiliation: ESR Center, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Buettner
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Kiminyo
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D005609:Free Radicals; D008872:Microwaves; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D013113:Spin Labels
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D013113:Spin Labels; C039900:nitroxyl; D001205:Ascorbic Acid