Triple-quantum excitation enhancement in MQMAS experiments on spin I=5/2 systems

We demonstrate, both theoretically and experimentally, that the excitation efficiency of triple-quantum coherences in 3QMAS experiments of spin 5/2 sy stems can be enhanced by manipulating the population of the external satell ites prior to hard pulse excitation of the 3Q coherence. Theoretically, a 6 7% or 33% increase can be achieved by respectively inverting or saturating the outer satellites. Experimentally an increase of approximately 25% is ob tained. The manipulation of the external satellites is achieved using time- dependent amplitude-modulated pulses. It is demonstrated for the mineral an dalusite that combining enhancements in 3Q-excition and 3Q --> 1Q conversio n leads to 3QMAS spectra with well-defined line shapes for sites experienci ng strongly different quadrupolar interactions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B .V. All rights reserved.