Efficient stator/rotor assembly for magic-angle spinning NMR

A newly designed stator assembly for cylindrical spinners used in magic-angle spinning nuclear-magnetic-resonance experiments is described. Separate driving and bearing gas chambers allow variable and stable spinning speeds, and this design permits easy starting and stopping of the rotor. Isolation of the chambers is achieved with the application of pressure screws rather than O rings or glue lines to avoid leakage at high gas pressures. The overall dimensions are optimal to facilitate easy assembly. Some significant modifications have been made to an earlier spinner design. These improvements give better efficiency and concentricity of the spinner. Applications are illustrated with carbon-13 cross polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) spectra carried out at different rotor spinning rates.