Explain Felix Bloch's theory of nuclear induction.
At its heart, nuclear induction concerns the behavior of nuclei with intrinsic angular momentum, or spin. These nuclei act as tiny magnets. When placed within a strong, static magnetic field, these nuclear magnets align themselves in discrete quantum states, exhibiting a characteristic precession around the field's direction. The key insight is that if we apply an alternating magnetic field, precisely tuned to the precession frequency – the Larmor frequency – we can induce transitions between these states. Upon removal of this radiofrequency field, the nuclei relax back, emitting electromagnetic radiation at the same frequency. This signal, the "nuclear induction," provides a direct window into the nuclear environment.
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