OPEN SOURCE · NMR RESOURCES

Which nuclei can a low-field spectrometer see?

Pick your magnet's field strength, then tap any element to see its best NMR isotope, where it lands in the 1.8–60 MHz range of the open-source Arduino spectrometer and amplifier, and how practical it is to measure.

MAGNET B₀
MAGNETDouble Barrel Single SidedOpen Source: HardwareX magnet designReference
Top 3 most-used (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F)GoodHardOK with caveats / No / noneWithin 1.8–60 MHz at this field
1HHydrogen

Hydrogen

Top 3 most-usedRating: Good

The reference nucleus. Highest γ of any stable nucleus, 100% abundant, spin-½.

Isotope · spin I
¹H · ½
γ/2π
42.58 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.04 – 1.41 T
At 0.13 T
5.60 MHz · in band
At 0.54 T
23.00 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
42.58 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
1.0
2HeHelium

Helium

OtherRating: No

About 1 ppm natural abundance. Needs enriched ³He gas.

Isotope · spin I
³He · ½
γ/2π
32.43 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.06 – 1.85 T
At 0.13 T
4.27 MHz · in band
At 0.54 T
17.52 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
32.43 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
6×10⁻⁷
3LiLithium

Lithium

GoodRating: Good

Small quadrupole moment (Q), so lines stay sharp. LiCl(aq) is the easy test sample.

Isotope · spin I
⁷Li · 3/2
γ/2π
16.55 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.11 – 3.63 T
At 0.13 T
2.18 MHz · in band
At 0.54 T
8.94 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
16.55 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.27
4BeBeryllium

Beryllium

HardRating: Hard

Sensitivity is fine, but beryllium is toxic.

Isotope · spin I
⁹Be · 3/2
γ/2π
5.98 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.30 – 10.03 T
At 0.13 T
0.79 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
3.23 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
5.98 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.014
5BBoron

Boron

GoodRating: Good

Boric acid or borax. Watch for a background signal from borosilicate glass.

Isotope · spin I
¹¹B · 3/2
γ/2π
13.66 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.13 – 4.39 T
At 0.13 T
1.80 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
7.38 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
13.66 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.13
6CCarbon

Carbon

Top 3 most-usedRating: Hard

Rated Hard for a home rig: 1.1% abundance and long T₁, so it needs a neat liquid and hours of averaging. Gold because it is one of the most-used NMR nuclei.

Isotope · spin I
¹³C · ½
γ/2π
10.71 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.17 – 5.60 T
At 0.13 T
1.41 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
5.79 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
10.71 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
1.7×10⁻⁴
7NNitrogen

Nitrogen

OtherRating: No

Low γ and broad quadrupolar lines. ¹⁵N (spin-½) needs isotopic enrichment.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁴N · 1
γ/2π
3.08 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.58 – 19.48 T
At 0.13 T
0.41 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.66 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
3.08 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
1.0×10⁻³
8OOxygen

Oxygen

OtherRating: No

0.04% natural abundance.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁷O · 5/2
γ/2π
5.77 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.31 – 10.40 T
At 0.13 T
0.76 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
3.12 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
5.77 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
1.1×10⁻⁵
9FFluorine

Fluorine

Top 3 most-usedRating: Good

The best non-¹H option. 100% abundant spin-½ with high γ. Try TFA or C₆F₆.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁹F · ½
γ/2π
40.08 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.04 – 1.50 T
At 0.13 T
5.27 MHz · in band
At 0.54 T
21.65 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
40.08 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.83
10NeNeon

Neon

OtherRating: No

A gas with 0.27% abundance.

Isotope · spin I
²¹Ne · 3/2
γ/2π
3.36 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.54 – 17.86 T
At 0.13 T
0.44 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.81 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
3.36 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
7×10⁻⁶
11NaSodium

Sodium

GoodRating: Good

NaCl(aq) gives a strong, sharp line.

Isotope · spin I
²³Na · 3/2
γ/2π
11.26 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.16 – 5.33 T
At 0.13 T
1.48 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
6.08 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
11.26 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.093
12MgMagnesium

Magnesium

OtherRating: No

Low γ and quadrupolar.

Isotope · spin I
²⁵Mg · 5/2
γ/2π
2.61 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.69 – 22.99 T
At 0.13 T
0.34 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.41 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
2.61 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
2.7×10⁻⁴
13AlAluminium

Aluminium

GoodRating: Good

Al(H₂O)₆³⁺ gives a sharp line.

Isotope · spin I
²⁷Al · 5/2
γ/2π
11.10 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.16 – 5.41 T
At 0.13 T
1.46 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
6.00 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
11.10 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.21
14SiSilicon

Silicon

HardRating: Hard

T₁ of minutes. Background signal from glass and the probe.

Isotope · spin I
²⁹Si · ½
γ/2π
8.46 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.21 – 7.09 T
At 0.13 T
1.11 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
4.57 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
8.46 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
3.7×10⁻⁴
15PPhosphorus

Phosphorus

GoodRating: Good

H₃PO₄. 100% abundant spin-½, easy.

Isotope · spin I
³¹P · ½
γ/2π
17.24 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.10 – 3.48 T
At 0.13 T
2.27 MHz · in band
At 0.54 T
9.31 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
17.24 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.066
16SSulfur

Sulfur

OtherRating: No

0.76% abundance and broad lines.

Isotope · spin I
³³S · 3/2
γ/2π
3.27 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.55 – 18.35 T
At 0.13 T
0.43 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.77 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
3.27 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
1.7×10⁻⁵
17ClChlorine

Chlorine

HardRating: Hard

Only the Cl⁻ ion gives usable lines, and it needs a high field.

Isotope · spin I
³⁵Cl · 3/2
γ/2π
4.17 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.43 – 14.39 T
At 0.13 T
0.55 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
2.25 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
4.17 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
3.6×10⁻³
18ArArgon

Argon

OtherRating: No usable isotope

No stable isotope with a nuclear spin.

19KPotassium

Potassium

OtherRating: No

Low γ and low receptivity, so the signal is very weak.

Isotope · spin I
³⁹K · 3/2
γ/2π
1.99 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.90 – 30.15 T
At 0.13 T
0.26 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.07 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
1.99 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
4.8×10⁻⁴
20CaCalcium

Calcium

OtherRating: No

0.14% abundance.

Isotope · spin I
⁴³Ca · 7/2
γ/2π
2.87 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.63 – 20.91 T
At 0.13 T
0.38 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.55 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
2.87 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
9×10⁻⁶
21ScScandium

Scandium

GoodRating: Good

Sc³⁺(aq) works well despite being quadrupolar.

Isotope · spin I
⁴⁵Sc · 7/2
γ/2π
10.34 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.17 – 5.80 T
At 0.13 T
1.36 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
5.59 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
10.34 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.30
22TiTitanium

Titanium

OtherRating: No

Low γ and broad lines.

Isotope · spin I
⁴⁷/⁴⁹Ti · 5/2, 7/2
γ/2π
2.40 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.75 – 25.00 T
At 0.13 T
0.32 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.30 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
2.40 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
2×10⁻⁴
23VVanadium

Vanadium

GoodRating: Good

Vanadate or VOCl₃.

Isotope · spin I
⁵¹V · 7/2
γ/2π
11.20 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.16 – 5.36 T
At 0.13 T
1.47 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
6.05 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
11.20 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.38
24CrChromium

Chromium

OtherRating: No

Low γ, and most Cr compounds are paramagnetic.

Isotope · spin I
⁵³Cr · 3/2
γ/2π
2.41 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.75 – 24.90 T
At 0.13 T
0.32 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.30 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
2.41 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
9×10⁻⁵
25MnManganese

Manganese

OtherRating: OK

KMnO₄ only. Mn(II) is paramagnetic and gives no signal.

Isotope · spin I
⁵⁵Mn · 5/2
γ/2π
10.55 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.17 – 5.69 T
At 0.13 T
1.39 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
5.70 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
10.55 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.18
26FeIron

Iron

OtherRating: No

Very low γ and abundance.

Isotope · spin I
⁵⁷Fe · ½
γ/2π
1.38 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
1.30 – 43.48 T
At 0.13 T
0.18 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
0.75 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
1.38 MHz · out of band
Receptivity vs ¹H
7×10⁻⁷
27CoCobalt

Cobalt

GoodRating: Good

K₃[Co(CN)₆]. Diamagnetic Co(III) only.

Isotope · spin I
⁵⁹Co · 7/2
γ/2π
10.10 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.18 – 5.94 T
At 0.13 T
1.33 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
5.46 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
10.10 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.28
28NiNickel

Nickel

OtherRating: No

Low abundance, and most compounds are paramagnetic.

Isotope · spin I
⁶¹Ni · 3/2
γ/2π
3.81 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.47 – 15.75 T
At 0.13 T
0.50 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
2.06 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
3.81 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
4×10⁻⁵
29CuCopper

Copper

OtherRating: OK

Cu(I) only, e.g. [Cu(MeCN)₄]⁺. Cu(II) is paramagnetic.

Isotope · spin I
⁶³Cu · 3/2
γ/2π
11.29 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.16 – 5.31 T
At 0.13 T
1.48 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
6.10 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
11.29 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.065
30ZnZinc

Zinc

OtherRating: No

Low γ and abundance.

Isotope · spin I
⁶⁷Zn · 5/2
γ/2π
2.67 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.67 – 22.47 T
At 0.13 T
0.35 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.44 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
2.67 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
1.2×10⁻⁴
31GaGallium

Gallium

GoodRating: Good

Ga(NO₃)₃(aq).

Isotope · spin I
⁷¹Ga · 3/2
γ/2π
12.98 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.14 – 4.62 T
At 0.13 T
1.71 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
7.01 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
12.98 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.057
32GeGermanium

Germanium

OtherRating: No

Very low γ.

Isotope · spin I
⁷³Ge · 9/2
γ/2π
1.49 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
1.21 – 40.27 T
At 0.13 T
0.20 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
0.80 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
1.49 MHz · out of band
Receptivity vs ¹H
1.1×10⁻⁴
33AsArsenic

Arsenic

OtherRating: OK

Only symmetric sites such as AsF₆⁻. Toxic.

Isotope · spin I
⁷⁵As · 3/2
γ/2π
7.29 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.25 – 8.23 T
At 0.13 T
0.96 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
3.94 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
7.29 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.025
34SeSelenium

Selenium

HardRating: Hard

Me₂Se works but is weak and smells awful.

Isotope · spin I
⁷⁷Se · ½
γ/2π
8.12 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.22 – 7.39 T
At 0.13 T
1.07 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
4.39 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
8.12 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
5.3×10⁻⁴
35BrBromine

Bromine

OtherRating: OK

The Br⁻ ion (NaBr) is fine. Covalent Br gives lines too broad to see.

Isotope · spin I
⁸¹Br · 3/2
γ/2π
11.50 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.16 – 5.22 T
At 0.13 T
1.51 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
6.21 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
11.50 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.049
36KrKrypton

Krypton

OtherRating: No

A gas with low γ.

Isotope · spin I
⁸³Kr · 9/2
γ/2π
1.64 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
1.10 – 36.59 T
At 0.13 T
0.22 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
0.89 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
1.64 MHz · out of band
Receptivity vs ¹H
2×10⁻⁴
37RbRubidium

Rubidium

GoodRating: Good

RbCl(aq).

Isotope · spin I
⁸⁷Rb · 3/2
γ/2π
13.93 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.13 – 4.31 T
At 0.13 T
1.83 MHz · in band
At 0.54 T
7.52 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
13.93 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.049
38SrStrontium

Strontium

OtherRating: No

Low γ.

Isotope · spin I
⁸⁷Sr · 9/2
γ/2π
1.85 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.97 – 32.43 T
At 0.13 T
0.24 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.00 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
1.85 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
1.9×10⁻⁴
39YYttrium

Yttrium

OtherRating: No

Low γ and very long T₁.

Isotope · spin I
⁸⁹Y · ½
γ/2π
2.09 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.86 – 28.71 T
At 0.13 T
0.27 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.13 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
2.09 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
1.2×10⁻⁴
40ZrZirconium

Zirconium

OtherRating: No

Low γ and broad lines.

Isotope · spin I
⁹¹Zr · 5/2
γ/2π
3.97 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.45 – 15.11 T
At 0.13 T
0.52 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
2.14 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
3.97 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
1.1×10⁻³
41NbNiobium

Niobium

OtherRating: OK

Strong but broad. Only symmetric NbCl₆⁻ or NbF₆⁻.

Isotope · spin I
⁹³Nb · 9/2
γ/2π
10.42 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.17 – 5.76 T
At 0.13 T
1.37 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
5.63 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
10.42 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.49
42MoMolybdenum

Molybdenum

OtherRating: No

Molybdate has a sharp line, but γ is too low.

Isotope · spin I
⁹⁵Mo · 5/2
γ/2π
2.78 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.65 – 21.58 T
At 0.13 T
0.37 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.50 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
2.78 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
5×10⁻⁴
43TcTechnetium

Technetium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive, with no stable isotope.

44RuRuthenium

Ruthenium

OtherRating: No

Low γ.

Isotope · spin I
⁹⁹/¹⁰¹Ru · 5/2
γ/2π
1.96 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.92 – 30.61 T
At 0.13 T
0.26 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.06 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
1.96 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
~1×10⁻⁴
45RhRhodium

Rhodium

OtherRating: No

Very low γ.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁰³Rh · ½
γ/2π
1.34 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
1.34 – 44.78 T
At 0.13 T
0.18 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
0.72 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
1.34 MHz · out of band
Receptivity vs ¹H
3×10⁻⁵
46PdPalladium

Palladium

OtherRating: No

Low γ and broad lines.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁰⁵Pd · 5/2
γ/2π
1.95 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.92 – 30.77 T
At 0.13 T
0.26 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.05 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
1.95 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
2.5×10⁻⁴
47AgSilver

Silver

OtherRating: No

Very low γ and very long T₁.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁰⁹Ag · ½
γ/2π
1.99 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.90 – 30.15 T
At 0.13 T
0.26 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.07 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
1.99 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
5×10⁻⁵
48CdCadmium

Cadmium

HardRating: Hard

Concentrated Cd(ClO₄)₂ or CdMe₂ with heavy averaging. Toxic.

Isotope · spin I
¹¹³Cd · ½
γ/2π
9.45 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.19 – 6.35 T
At 0.13 T
1.24 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
5.10 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
9.45 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
1.4×10⁻³
49InIndium

Indium

OtherRating: OK

Strong but broad. Symmetric In(III) only.

Isotope · spin I
¹¹⁵In · 9/2
γ/2π
9.33 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.19 – 6.43 T
At 0.13 T
1.23 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
5.04 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
9.33 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.34
50SnTin

Tin

HardRating: Hard

Neat SnCl₄ or SnMe₄ is doable with averaging. The best heavy spin-½ option after Tl.

Isotope · spin I
¹¹⁹Sn · ½
γ/2π
15.87 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.11 – 3.78 T
At 0.13 T
2.09 MHz · in band
At 0.54 T
8.57 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
15.87 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
4.5×10⁻³
51SbAntimony

Antimony

OtherRating: OK

Only SbCl₆⁻ or SbF₆⁻. Everything else is very broad.

Isotope · spin I
¹²¹Sb · 5/2
γ/2π
10.19 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.18 – 5.89 T
At 0.13 T
1.34 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
5.50 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
10.19 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.093
52TeTellurium

Tellurium

HardRating: Hard

Me₂Te or Te(OH)₆ with averaging.

Isotope · spin I
¹²⁵Te · ½
γ/2π
13.43 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.13 – 4.47 T
At 0.13 T
1.77 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
7.25 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
13.43 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
2.2×10⁻³
53IIodine

Iodine

OtherRating: OK

I⁻ or IO₄⁻ only. Covalent iodine can't be seen.

Isotope · spin I
¹²⁷I · 5/2
γ/2π
8.52 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.21 – 7.04 T
At 0.13 T
1.12 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
4.60 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
8.52 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.095
54XeXenon

Xenon

HardRating: Hard

A gas, so it needs a pressurized cell or hyperpolarization.

Isotope · spin I
¹²⁹Xe · ½
γ/2π
11.84 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.15 – 5.07 T
At 0.13 T
1.56 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
6.40 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
11.84 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
5.7×10⁻³
55CsCaesium

Caesium

OtherRating: OK

Very small Q gives very sharp lines. Low γ keeps the signal modest.

Isotope · spin I
¹³³Cs · 7/2
γ/2π
5.58 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.32 – 10.75 T
At 0.13 T
0.73 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
3.01 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
5.58 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.048
56BaBarium

Barium

OtherRating: No

Low γ and receptivity.

Isotope · spin I
¹³⁷Ba · 3/2
γ/2π
4.76 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.38 – 12.61 T
At 0.13 T
0.63 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
2.57 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
4.76 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
8×10⁻⁴
57LaLanthanum

Lanthanum

OtherRating: OK

La(NO₃)₃(aq). Quadrupolar, with moderately broad lines.

Isotope · spin I
¹³⁹La · 7/2
γ/2π
6.02 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.30 – 9.97 T
At 0.13 T
0.79 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
3.25 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
6.02 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.060
58CeCerium

Cerium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

No stable isotope with a nuclear spin.

59PrPraseodymium

Praseodymium

OtherRating: No

Pr³⁺ is paramagnetic, which erases the element's own signal.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁴¹Pr · 5/2
γ/2π
—
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
—
At 0.13 T
—
At 0.54 T
—
At 1.00 T
—
Receptivity vs ¹H
—
60NdNeodymium

Neodymium

OtherRating: No

Nd³⁺ is paramagnetic, which erases the element's own signal.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁴³Nd · 7/2
γ/2π
—
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
—
At 0.13 T
—
At 0.54 T
—
At 1.00 T
—
Receptivity vs ¹H
—
61PmPromethium

Promethium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive, with no stable isotope.

62SmSamarium

Samarium

OtherRating: No

Sm³⁺ is paramagnetic, which erases the element's own signal.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁴⁷Sm · 7/2
γ/2π
—
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
—
At 0.13 T
—
At 0.54 T
—
At 1.00 T
—
Receptivity vs ¹H
—
63EuEuropium

Europium

OtherRating: No

Eu³⁺ is paramagnetic, which erases the element's own signal.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁵¹Eu · 5/2
γ/2π
—
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
—
At 0.13 T
—
At 0.54 T
—
At 1.00 T
—
Receptivity vs ¹H
—
64GdGadolinium

Gadolinium

OtherRating: No

Gd³⁺ is strongly paramagnetic, which erases the element's own signal.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁵⁷Gd · 3/2
γ/2π
—
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
—
At 0.13 T
—
At 0.54 T
—
At 1.00 T
—
Receptivity vs ¹H
—
65TbTerbium

Terbium

OtherRating: No

Tb³⁺ is paramagnetic, which erases the element's own signal.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁵⁹Tb · 3/2
γ/2π
—
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
—
At 0.13 T
—
At 0.54 T
—
At 1.00 T
—
Receptivity vs ¹H
—
66DyDysprosium

Dysprosium

OtherRating: No

Dy³⁺ is paramagnetic, which erases the element's own signal.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁶³Dy · 5/2
γ/2π
—
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
—
At 0.13 T
—
At 0.54 T
—
At 1.00 T
—
Receptivity vs ¹H
—
67HoHolmium

Holmium

OtherRating: No

Ho³⁺ is paramagnetic, which erases the element's own signal.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁶⁵Ho · 7/2
γ/2π
—
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
—
At 0.13 T
—
At 0.54 T
—
At 1.00 T
—
Receptivity vs ¹H
—
68ErErbium

Erbium

OtherRating: No

Er³⁺ is paramagnetic, which erases the element's own signal.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁶⁷Er · 7/2
γ/2π
—
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
—
At 0.13 T
—
At 0.54 T
—
At 1.00 T
—
Receptivity vs ¹H
—
69TmThulium

Thulium

OtherRating: No

Tm³⁺ is paramagnetic, which erases the element's own signal.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁶⁹Tm · ½
γ/2π
—
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
—
At 0.13 T
—
At 0.54 T
—
At 1.00 T
—
Receptivity vs ¹H
—
70YbYtterbium

Ytterbium

OtherRating: No

Only in diamagnetic Yb(II) compounds, which are air-sensitive.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁷¹Yb · ½
γ/2π
7.50 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.24 – 8.00 T
At 0.13 T
0.99 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
4.05 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
7.50 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
8×10⁻⁴
71LuLutetium

Lutetium

OtherRating: No

Enormous Q, so lines are too broad to see.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁷⁵Lu · 7/2
γ/2π
4.86 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.37 – 12.35 T
At 0.13 T
0.64 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
2.63 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
4.86 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.031
72HfHafnium

Hafnium

OtherRating: No

Low γ and huge Q.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁷⁷Hf · 7/2
γ/2π
1.73 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
1.04 – 34.68 T
At 0.13 T
0.23 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
0.93 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
1.73 MHz · out of band
Receptivity vs ¹H
2.6×10⁻⁴
73TaTantalum

Tantalum

OtherRating: No

Enormous Q. Only TaF₆⁻, and only at a high field.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁸¹Ta · 7/2
γ/2π
5.11 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.35 – 11.74 T
At 0.13 T
0.67 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
2.76 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
5.11 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.037
74WTungsten

Tungsten

OtherRating: No

Very low γ.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁸³W · ½
γ/2π
1.78 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
1.01 – 33.71 T
At 0.13 T
0.23 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
0.96 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
1.78 MHz · out of band
Receptivity vs ¹H
1.1×10⁻⁵
75ReRhenium

Rhenium

OtherRating: OK

KReO₄ (perrhenate) only.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁸⁷Re · 5/2
γ/2π
9.69 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.19 – 6.19 T
At 0.13 T
1.27 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
5.23 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
9.69 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.090
76OsOsmium

Osmium

OtherRating: No

Very low γ.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁸⁷Os · ½
γ/2π
0.98 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
1.84 – 61.22 T
At 0.13 T
0.13 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
0.53 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
0.98 MHz · out of band
Receptivity vs ¹H
2×10⁻⁷
77IrIridium

Iridium

OtherRating: No

Very low γ.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁹³Ir · 3/2
γ/2π
0.81 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
2.22 – 74.07 T
At 0.13 T
0.11 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
0.44 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
0.81 MHz · out of band
Receptivity vs ¹H
2×10⁻⁵
78PtPlatinum

Platinum

HardRating: Hard

Concentrated Na₂PtCl₆ with averaging. Expensive.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁹⁵Pt · ½
γ/2π
9.15 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.20 – 6.56 T
At 0.13 T
1.20 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
4.94 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
9.15 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
3.5×10⁻³
79AuGold

Gold

OtherRating: No

Very low γ.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁹⁷Au · 3/2
γ/2π
0.73 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
2.47 – 82.19 T
At 0.13 T
0.10 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
0.39 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
0.73 MHz · out of band
Receptivity vs ¹H
3×10⁻⁵
80HgMercury

Mercury

HardRating: Hard

Doable with neat HgMe₂, but that is extremely toxic. Don't.

Isotope · spin I
¹⁹⁹Hg · ½
γ/2π
7.63 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.24 – 7.86 T
At 0.13 T
1.00 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
4.12 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
7.63 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
1.0×10⁻³
81TlThallium

Thallium

GoodRating: Good

Very sensitive and sharp. Very toxic.

Isotope · spin I
²⁰⁵Tl · ½
γ/2π
24.57 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.07 – 2.44 T
At 0.13 T
3.23 MHz · in band
At 0.54 T
13.27 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
24.57 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.14
82PbLead

Lead

HardRating: Hard

PbMe₄ or concentrated Pb(NO₃)₂ with averaging. Toxic.

Isotope · spin I
²⁰⁷Pb · ½
γ/2π
8.91 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.20 – 6.73 T
At 0.13 T
1.17 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
4.81 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
8.91 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
2.0×10⁻³
83BiBismuth

Bismuth

OtherRating: OK

Strong on paper (100% abundant, decent γ), but its large Q gives very broad lines. Only symmetric species such as Bi(NO₃)₃ in concentrated HNO₃.

Isotope · spin I
²⁰⁹Bi · 9/2
γ/2π
6.84 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.26 – 8.77 T
At 0.13 T
0.90 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
3.69 MHz · in band
At 1.00 T
6.84 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
0.14
84PoPolonium

Polonium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Every isotope is intensely radioactive (²⁰⁹Po is spin-½ but not something to put in a probe).

85AtAstatine

Astatine

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive, with no stable isotope. Only trace amounts exist.

86RnRadon

Radon

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive gas with no stable isotope.

87FrFrancium

Francium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive, with no stable isotope. Half-life of minutes.

88RaRadium

Radium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive. ²²³Ra has spin 3/2 but no NMR use outside specialist labs.

89AcActinium

Actinium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive. ²²⁷Ac has spin 3/2 but is far too hazardous to handle.

90ThThorium

Thorium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Natural thorium is ²³²Th, which has spin 0. ²²⁹Th (spin 5/2) is a rare, radioactive isotope.

91PaProtactinium

Protactinium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive. ²³¹Pa has spin 3/2 but is scarce and highly toxic.

92UUranium

Uranium

OtherRating: No

Natural uranium is 99.3% ²³⁸U, which has spin 0. ²³⁵U (0.72%) has very low γ. Radioactive and regulated.

Isotope · spin I
²³⁵U · 7/2
γ/2π
0.83 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
2.17 – 72.29 T
At 0.13 T
0.11 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
0.45 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
0.83 MHz · out of band
Receptivity vs ¹H
~1×10⁻⁷
93NpNeptunium

Neptunium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive. ²³⁷Np (spin 5/2) has only been seen in specialist solid-state work.

94PuPlutonium

Plutonium

OtherRating: No

First observed in 2012, in solid PuO₂ at a national lab. Fissile and far too hazardous for a home rig.

Isotope · spin I
²³⁹Pu · ½
γ/2π
2.29 MHz/T
B₀ for 1.8–60 MHz
0.79 – 26.20 T
At 0.13 T
0.30 MHz · out of band
At 0.54 T
1.24 MHz · out of band
At 1.00 T
2.29 MHz · in band
Receptivity vs ¹H
—
95AmAmericium

Americium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive. ²⁴¹Am (spin 5/2) exists only in microgram amounts, e.g. in smoke detectors.

96CmCurium

Curium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive and made only in reactors or accelerators, in amounts far too small (and too hazardous) for NMR.

97BkBerkelium

Berkelium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive and made only in reactors or accelerators, in amounts far too small (and too hazardous) for NMR.

98CfCalifornium

Californium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive and made only in reactors or accelerators, in amounts far too small (and too hazardous) for NMR.

99EsEinsteinium

Einsteinium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive and made only in reactors or accelerators, in amounts far too small (and too hazardous) for NMR.

100FmFermium

Fermium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive and made only in reactors or accelerators, in amounts far too small (and too hazardous) for NMR.

101MdMendelevium

Mendelevium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive and made only in reactors or accelerators, in amounts far too small (and too hazardous) for NMR.

102NoNobelium

Nobelium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive and made only in reactors or accelerators, in amounts far too small (and too hazardous) for NMR.

103LrLawrencium

Lawrencium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Radioactive and made only in reactors or accelerators, in amounts far too small (and too hazardous) for NMR.

104RfRutherfordium

Rutherfordium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

105DbDubnium

Dubnium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

106SgSeaborgium

Seaborgium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

107BhBohrium

Bohrium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

108HsHassium

Hassium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

109MtMeitnerium

Meitnerium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

110DsDarmstadtium

Darmstadtium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

111RgRoentgenium

Roentgenium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

112CnCopernicium

Copernicium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

113NhNihonium

Nihonium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

114FlFlerovium

Flerovium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

115McMoscovium

Moscovium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

116LvLivermorium

Livermorium

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

117TsTennessine

Tennessine

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

118OgOganesson

Oganesson

OtherRating: No usable isotope

Superheavy element made a few atoms at a time, with half-lives of seconds or less. No NMR is possible.

57–71
89–103
Lanthanides
Actinides

Receptivity is relative to ¹H at natural abundance, at the same field. Figures are approximate and taken from standard IUPAC-style tables. Ratings assume diamagnetic samples. As a rule of thumb for a home rig at low field, a receptivity of about 0.01 or more is practical, 10⁻³ to 10⁻² needs long averaging, and below 10⁻³ is impractical. Larmor frequency f = (γ/2π) × B₀.