title: Cascaded z-filters for efficient single-scan suppression of zero-quantum coherence.
abstract: A simple and robust method to suppress zero-quantum coherence (ZQC) in NMR experiments, in a single scan and with very high suppression ratio, is described. It is an appreciable improvement on a previous technique by Thrippleton and Keeler [Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 42 (2003) 3938]. The method, called a z-filter cascade, preserves longitudinal, or z-magnetization, with high efficiency. Losses depend mostly on T1 relaxation but not T2 relaxation mechanisms. At the same time, suppression of ZQC can be essentially complete in a single scan. The time duration of the z-filter cascade scales inversely to representative chemical shift differences between the coupled spins, and is typically a few tens of milliseconds. The high efficiency of the zero-quantum suppression and excellent retention of the desired z-magnetization, in a single scan without resort to phase cycling or difference spectroscopy, makes the z-filter cascade a useful new pulse sequence building block for a whole range of NMR experiments. In cases where unwanted residual ZQC may have previously contributed to baseline " t1-noise" in two-dimensional NMR spectra, the z-filter cascade can deliver a noteworthy improvement in spectral quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2025, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Cano
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Thrippleton
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keeler
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Shaka
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013269:Stochastic Processes