Asking about Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the relationship between nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and quantum electrodynamics (QED). Participants explore whether QED can fully explain the phenomena observed in NMR, considering both theoretical and practical aspects of the topic.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks literature that connects NMR spectroscopy with quantum mechanical theory, specifically QED.
  • Another participant questions the adequacy of existing literature, citing a specific article that relates QED and NMR but expressing concerns about its credibility and readability.
  • Some participants argue that QED is not necessary to explain NMR, suggesting that classical approaches and established texts, such as Slichter's, are sufficient.
  • There is mention of NMR being used to study the Lamb Shift, a QED effect, although the relevance of QED to NMR is debated.
  • A participant expresses curiosity about QED and seeks recommendations for accessible literature on the topic.
  • One participant asserts that QED only involves the electromagnetic field and electrons, implying it lacks the scope to explain NMR fully.
  • Another participant emphasizes that NMR can be understood largely through classical approximations, with only limited relevance of quantum mechanics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding the necessity of QED for explaining NMR. While some assert that QED is not required, others propose that it could be relevant in certain contexts, such as the Lamb Shift.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenges of linking graduate-level topics and the potential limitations of existing literature in addressing the complexities of NMR and QED.

docnet
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Hi, can anyone provide literature that explains nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in terms of a quantum mechanical theory?

Could QED explain NMR in its entire phenomenon?
 
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What have you already found? Why do you find it unsatisfactory?
 
Vanadium 50 said:
What have you already found? Why do you find it unsatisfactory?
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cmr.a.20166

this seems to be the only article that directly relates QED and NMR spectroscopy. Without knowing the author, I don't know if the information is credible or not. It is also a bit hard to read without a strong background in physics.
 
I don't believe you need to go to QED to explain NMR, Slichter's classic text pretty much covers everything.
 
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If you don't have a strong background in physics, it will be hard to find something that links two graduate-level topics.

@Dr Transport is correct that you don't need QED to explain NMR. I have heard of but am unfamiliar with people using NMR to study the Lamb Shift (a QED effect) in atoms and molecules, with NMR being part of the process.
 
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I appreciate your responses. I just wanted to ask the question to satisfy my curiosity.

Feynman wrote a book called QED: Strange Theory of Light and Matter, which didn't explain all facets of electromagnetism. For example, the book didn't explain proton-proton repulsion or proton-electron attraction. Can anyone recommend a book about QED that isn't too time demanding?
 
docnet said:
Could QED explain NMR in its entire phenomenon?

No, because QED only includes the EM field and electrons. It doesn't include anything else.
 
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Dr Transport said:
I don't believe you need to go to QED to explain NMR, Slichter's classic text pretty much covers everything.
I agree. You really do not need QED for NMR. The number of hydrogens you are dealing with is so large that NMR can be understood almost entirely in the classical approximation. The few instances where QM is important can be handled with non-relativistic QM. I cannot think of a single instance where QED is needed (but I am unfamiliar with the Lamb shift measurements mentioned by @Vanadium 50 above).
 
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