We report experiments in which we have used DC SQUIDs in pulsed NMR sp
ectrometers to observe directly the free precession of nuclear spins.
A broadband spectrometer, which operates in flux-locked loop mode with
a bandwidth of 3.4 MHz using a SQUID with additional positive feedbac
k and an untuned superconducting input circuit, has been used to obser
ve NMR signals from platinum powder at frequencies of 38, 65, 85, 240
and 513 kHz. The performance is compared with a second system in which
a DC SQUID is operated open loop as a small signal rf amplifier with
a series tank input circuit tuned at 1 MHz.