Tutorial on Analytic Theory for Cross-Polarization in Solid State NMR

This tutorial aims to be a self-contained and explicit analysis of the basic cross polarization (CP) solid-state NMR experiment (SSNMR) in the isolated spin-pair approximation using standard quantum mechanical arguments. The general result of obtaining coherence transfer between two dipolar coupled spin-active nuclei while applying radio frequency fields to both nuclei is described, with emphasis on the origin of the well known Hartmann-Hahn matching conditions. No new theory is presented; rather several common analytical methods in SSNMR are demonstrated in the context of cross-polarization under static and magic-angle spinning (MAS) conditions. A background in NMR and quantum mechanics is assumed, however this work attempts to minimize the need for excursions into the literature. This article was written to aid a reader in advancing into more detailed descriptions of CP and dipolar recoupling in general. 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 254–276, 2008.