β-Radiation Detected NMR in Solid and Liquid Neon

Abstract

Spin-polarized β-active 23Ne (T1/2 = 37.2 s) nuclei were created by capture of polarized cold neutrons in solid and liquid neon. The angular asymmetry of the β-radiation was used to monitor the nuclear polarization. From nuclear magnetic resonance curves the value for the dipole moment| μ(23Ne)| = 1.079(1) n.m. (uncorrected) was obtained which is more precise than the literature value. Comparing the measured spin-lattice relaxation rates with those of stable 21Ne the nuclear quadrupole moment of 23Ne was determined. It agrees with a shell model calculation. The feasibility of 23Ne-β-NMR for investigations in condensed rare gases in demonstrated.