Time-reversal of cross-polarization in nuclear magnetic resonance

It is demonstrated that the time evolution of the heteronuclear polarization-transfer process in a dipolar-coupled nuclear spin system can be reversed, leading to the observation of cross polarization echoes. The cross-polarization echoes are induced by consecutive application of two pulse trains that produce effective Hamiltonians that differ only in sign, Cross-polarization echoes have been recorded for a powder sample of alanine. The time evolution of the spin;system is consistent with both unitary quantum dynamics and with spin thermodynamics of two systems approaching a common spin temperature. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.