Relaxation-allowed nuclear magnetic resonance transitions by interference between the quadrupolar coupling and the paramagnetic interaction.

Of the various ways in which nuclear spin systems can relax to their ground states, the processes involving an interference between different relaxation mechanisms, such as dipole-dipole coupling and chemical shift anisotropy, have become of great interest lately. The authors show here that the interference between the quadrupolar coupling and the paramagnetic interaction (cross-correlated relaxation) gives rise to nuclear spin transitions that would remain forbidden otherwise. In addition, frequency shifts arise. These would be reminiscent of residual anisotropic interactions when there are none. While interesting from a fundamental point of view, these processes may become relevant in magnetic resonance imaging experiments which involve quadrupolar spins, such as (23)Na, in the presence of contrast agents. Geometrical constraints in paramagnetic molecule structures may likewise be derived from these interference effects.