An improved external loop resonator for in vivo L-band EPR spectroscopy.

An improved external loop resonator (ELR) used for L-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is reported. This improvement is achieved by shortening the parallel coaxial line. The resonant structure is formed by two single turn coils (10mm in diameter) that are connected to a parallel coaxial line. A resonance frequency of 1197 MHz and a quality factor of 466 were obtained in the absence of biological tissue and were approximately 1130 MHz and approximately 50 with a living animal, respectively. The sensitivity of the new ELR was compared to the previously developed ELR using three types of EPR samples: (1) paramagnetic material with no biological tissue, (2) paramagnetic material in a leg and in the peritoneal cavity of a dead rat, and (3) paramagnetic material in the back of an anesthetized rat. The sensitivity was 1.2-1.6 times greater in the rat and 4.2 times without tissue.