A system/device, such as a gradiometer probe for detecting RF signals, or for example for explosive detection, has the shape of the coils in its adjustment mechanism that minimizes the cross-talk between the receiver probe (Rx) and the transmitting antenna (Tx) in such a way as to minimize (or reduce) the areas where the distance between the coils during the adjustment is the smallest. Moving coils along the plain of the coils is one mechanism of achieving it. Having the coils of different shapes, e.g., circular receiver and oval transmitter coils, is another. Many shapes are possible, including circular, oval, elliptical, and polygonal, to give a few examples. In some embodiments both of these methods/approaches are combined in a single device.

Systems and methods are described, and one method includes illuminating a target-of-interest (TI) with an RF energy configured to effect, over a time duration extending from a first time to a second time, an increase in a temperature of the TI. At a first detection time within the time duration, a first temperature NQR signal spectrum of the TI is detected, and a corresponding first temperature NQR spectrum data set is generates. At a second detection time, subsequent to the first detection time, a second temperature NQR signal spectrum of the TI is detected and corresponding second temperature NQR spectrum data set is output. Based at least in part on the first temperature NQR spectral dataset and the second temperature NQR spectral dataset, the TI is classified between including the SI and not including the SI.

An example includes performing near infra-red (NIR) spectrometry to provide NIR measurement data for a sample compound. The method also includes performing magnetic resonance (MR) spectrometry to provide MR measurement data for the sample compound. The method also includes analyzing, by a computing device, the MR measurement data in view of the NIR measurement data to characterize the sample compound.

Apparatus for the measurement of ore in mine ore benches or ore stockpiles is disclosed, the apparatus comprising: a mobile platform, defining a platform zone, wherein the mobile platform is positionable on or above a mine ore bench or stockpile; and at least one magnetic resonance (MR) sensor comprised in the mobile platform. The MR sensor includes a main loop and a drive loop located above the main loop. A magnetic resonance sensor control system is provided and configured to control at least one of: the positioning of the at least one MR sensor relative to the platform zone and/or mine ore bench or ore stockpile; the positioning of elements comprised in the MR sensor relative to each other; electromagnetic suppression characteristics of the at least one MR sensor; and/or sensitivity of the at least one MR sensor as a function of distance of the sensor from the mine ore bench or ore stockpile.

Methods and systems for identifying a chemical species within a substance using nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) are described herein. One method includes applying a number of NQR perturbation-detection pulse sequences to the substance. Each perturbation-detection pulse sequence includes a perturbation segment applied at a perturbation frequency and a detection segment applied at a second different frequency. As the sequences are applied, the perturbation frequency, the second frequency, or both are varied for each pulse sequence. The method also includes applying a number of NQR reference pulse sequences to the substance at a reference frequency. The reference frequency is varied for each pulse sequence. A chemical species is identified within the substance by comparing (i) a set of NQR signals generated by the perturbation-detection pulse sequences with (ii) a reference set of NQR signals generated by the reference pulse sequences.

An apparatus is provided for on-line detection of magnetic resonance signals from a target in a mineral slurry. The apparatus comprises (i) an electrically conductive housing, (ii) an electrically non-conducting (ENC) pipe to enable throughput of a mineral slurry and configured to pass through the electrically conductive housing, (iii) a first primary coil configured to encircle a section of the ENC pipe within the housing, the or each primary coil defining a measurement zone, (iv) a capacitor unit coupled to a terminal of the or each respective primary coil, where a value of each capacitor unit value is selectable so that a primary coil series resonance is formed close to the value of the magnetic resonance frequency of the target, (v) an RF transmitter operable to transmit a signal to one or more drive coil electrical networks, where an operating frequency of the RF transmitter is set approximately equal to the magnetic resonance frequency of the target, (vi) at least a first drive coil and an associated drive coil electrical network, where the number of drive coils equals the number of primary coils, and where each drive coil and associated drive coil electrical network is positioned relative to a single primary coil to magnetically couple said drive coil to said primary coil, (vii) an impedance monitor coupled to each drive coil electrical network and operable to measure a complex input impedance of said drive coil electrical network; and (viii) an RF receiver adapted to receive from the first or each drive coil electrical network, magnetic resonance signals from the target, the RF receiver forming an output signal of detected signals.

Technologies relating to a magnetic resonance spectrometer are disclosed. The magnetic resonance spectrometer may include a doped nanostructured crystal. By nanostructuring the surface of the crystal, the sensor-sample contact area of the crystal can be increased. As a result of the increased sensor-sample contact area, the output fluorescence signal emitted from the crystal is also increased, with corresponding reductions in measurement acquisition time and requisite sample volumes.

A method and system for enhanced NQR or GPR include a metamaterial antenna configured to both transmit and receive a magnetic field focused at a near-field distance separated from the antenna at a corresponding antenna frequency corresponding to a nuclear quadrupole resonance frequency of an atom in a target material.

A method and system for applying nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) sequences to a substance and determining presence of a chemical species within the substance using the sequences are described herein. The method includes applying an NQR pulse sequence to the substance using a non-resonant transmitter circuit. The method further includes detecting a NQR signal within the substance and determining presence of a chemical species within the substance using the NQR signal.

Detection and recognition of taggant substances having predefined zero external field magnetic resonance signatures. An object comprising taggant substance(s) is irradiated with a sequence of specific excitation pulses of electromagnetic radiation within a predetermined time and frequency scanning pattern, responsive nuclear spin echo signals are received from the object with a predetermined time and frequency acquisition pattern and data indicative thereof is generated. The scanning and acquisition patterns used permit successive transmission of pulses of multiple frequencies using a two-pulse spin-echo excitation technique, or a steady state-spin echo excitation technique, and successive acquisition of multiple nuclear spin echo response signals, within a time slot between two successive excitation pulses of a specific excitation frequency. The generated data is correlated with reference data corresponding to predetermined taggant substance(s) and one or more taggant substances are identified based on the determined correlation.