WO1992019979A1

WO1992019979A1 - Methods and apparatus for detecting substances

Info

Publication number: WO1992019979A1
Application number: PCT/GB1992/000798
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Alec Sydney Smith; Julian David Shaw
Original assignee: British Technology Group Ltd.
Priority date: 1991-05-02
Filing date: 1992-04-30
Publication date: 1992-11-12
Also published as: IL101755A0; US5500591A; GB2255414B; GB2255414A; IL101755A; JPH06507016A; EP0582617A1; GB9109592D0; GB9209349D0

Abstract

A method for detecting the presence of a specific substance in a heterogeneous sample or article in a magnetic field includes establishing a level-crossing condition (BLC) for the substance to be detected for a set time (tb-step b), and subsequently measuring nuclear magnetic resonance signals to detect some consequence of the level-crossing condition (step c). A saturing signal (S) is applied at the begining of each cyclic test (step a). Apparatus for detecting the presence of a substance is also disclosed.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING SUBSTANCES

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for detecting the presence of specific substances which contain atomic nuclei of a first kind which can show nuclear magnetic resonance (N R) effects in a magnetic field and which also contain atomic nuclei of a second kind which can show nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) effects. Such substances include, for example, various drugs such as heroin or cocaine, and explosives such as TNT, RDX, H X and PETN.

Nuclei of the first kind usually have spin quantum number equal to one half, and in particular include the nuclei ^-H, ¹⁹F and ³¹P which can give readily detectable NMR effects in appropriate conditions. In a magnetic field such nuclei may precess around the direction of the field with a frequency given by ω _ γB where ω = 2ιrf, f is the resonant frequency, γ is the gyromagnetic ratio of the nuclei and B is the strength of the applied magnetic field. If the nuclei are irradiated with electromagnetic waves at or very close to their resonant frequency f, they can exchange energy with the electromagnetic waves by changing the angle between the direction of their magnetic moment and the direction of the applied magnetic field. When such irradiation ceases the nuclei tend to return towards an alignment parallel to the applied magnetic field, emitting radiation of frequency f. This proceeds as a relaxation process with a time constant called the spin- lattice relaxation time T. which depends on the processes available for the loss or conversion of their excess energy. As the resonant frequency is proportional to the field strength it can be tuned to a specified frequency by suitably adjusting the applied magnetic field strength.

Nuclei of the second kind have a spin quantum number greater than one-half and may include for instance ⁷Li, ⁹Be, ¹¹B, ¹⁴N, ²³Na, ²⁷A1, ³⁵C1, ³⁹K, ⁵⁵Mn, ⁵⁹Co, ⁷⁵As, ⁷⁹Br, ⁸¹Br, ¹²⁷I, ¹⁹⁷Au, ²⁰⁹Bi. They can show detectable nuclear quadrupole resonance effects at resonance frequencies which are mainly determined by the nature of the nuclei and the sub-molecular environment in which they are situated. In any compound the nature and disposition of adjacent nuclei and electrons produce sub-molecular electric field gradients which interact with the nuclear electric quadrupole moments of the nuclei so as to determine one or more quadrupole resonance frequencies. These quadrupole resonance frequencies therefore depend on and indi ate the chemical environment as well as the nuclear species involved. The quadrupole resonances are modified by temperature and pressure and may be shifted by an externally applied magnetic field to an extent dependent on the gyromagnetic ratio of the quadrupolar nuclei involved. For some nuclei (e.g. ¹⁴N) this gyromagnetic ratio is small and hence the chemical environment is the main factor determining the quadrupolar resonances in relatively low applied magnetic fields.

Where nuclei of the first kind are also present, particularly if their gyromagnetic ratios are much larger than those of any quadrupolar nuclei present, the applied magnetic field strength can be readily adjusted to make the NMR frequency of the first nuclei equal to an NQR frequency of the second nuclei. This is called a level-crossing field strength; in such conditions energy can readily be exchanged between the first nuclei and the second nuclei, and this changes the spin-lattice relaxation time constant T. of the first nuclei significantly. In some cases this time constant may be reduced by several orders of magnitude by setting the applied magnetic field to a level-crossing field strength. In other cases the effect may be much less but still substantial enough to be used as the basis of methods for detecting the presence of specific substances.

Various cyclical methods have been devised in which some consequence of setting a level-crossing field condition for a set time is then measured indirectly through its effect on a subsequent nuclear magnetic resonance measurement. For instance GB Patent No. 2057135 and US Patent No. 4887034 describe some relatively complicated methods and state that these methods may be used to detect the presence of substances such as the drugs and explosives previously mentioned. Three simpler methods according to the present invention will be described hereinafter. These methods generally involve a comparison of results from some cycles, called A cycles, in which the level-crossing field-strength is used with the results from other cycles, called B-cycles, in which a field-strength offset from the level-crossing field-strength 1s used. Signals from the NMR nuclei in the substance to be detected, 1f' it 1s present in the sample or article being examined, will be affected by the difference between the A-cycles and the B-cycles. Consequently a difference between the A-cycle results and the B-cycle results may indicate the presence of the substance to be detected. However, the wanted signals will generally be superimposed on stronger NMR signals from other nuclei in the sample or article being examined. Any drift or variation in these other signals may be misinterpreted as a difference between A cycles and B cycles.

When such methods are used to check unknown parcels or luggage it is likely that the items being examined may include nuclei of the first kind in many different substances, and such nuclei may show NMR effects with various relaxation time constants, and with various level-crossing effects 1f they are in substances also containing any quadrupolar nuclei. For instance there may be nuclei subject to NMR effects which under the selected test cycle conditions have spin-lattice relaxation times comparable with or longer than the cycle time of the method used, and the unwanted response signals from such nuclei may take perhaps ten cycles to reach equilibrium. Also there may be nuclei which have significant level-crossing effects at field strengths which occur at one or more times in the cycle, and these may produce unwanted superimposed signals which may take a number of cycles to reach equilibrium. One way to avoid errors arising from these effects would be to ignore the responses from a number of cycles after the commencement of each test and after any change in the test conditions (including any change from A-cycles to B-cycles), and to use only results from tests which appear to have reached equilibrium. However, this would unduly prolong the test procedure, and could make it too long for some applications.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved methods and apparatus for the detection of specific substances in heterogeneous samples and articles containing other substances which could cause confusingly variable NMR signals.

According to the present invention there is provided a method for detecting the presence of a specific substance in a heterogeneous sample or in an article by cyclic tests in a magnetic field wherein a level-crossing condition for the substance to be detected 1s established for a set time and NMR signals are subsequently measured to detect some consequence of the level-crossing condition, a. saturating signal (as herein defined) being applied before each cyclic test. Saturation is a term used to describe a situation in which nuclei with nuclear spin (for example, spin-), nuclei) exist in an externally applied magnetic field 1n two or more allowed states and there are equal numbers of the nuclei in each state. A saturation signal in this context means an Irradiating signal (including a sequence of individual irradiating signals) of electromagnetic waves of one or more frequencies (at or close to the resonant frequencies of the nuclei in the presently applied magnetic field strength), of sufficient power and duration to create as nearly as possible equal populations of nuclei in all the energy states. In the case of spin-% nuclei, this means populations of close to 50% in both spin levels. It should be noted that the total population of spin-7. nuclei to be considered must include all spin-), nuclei in the sample or article being examined which can show NMR effects at or close to the frequency or frequencies being used in the magnetic field which is being applied. For the testing of samples or articles which may contain an unknown variety of substances in which there may be many nuclei in different environments, the saturation signal should be made sufficient to ensure saturation in any material which could be present. The saturating signal may be a long pulse of continuous wave irradiation or one or more short pulses of higher power. It can be shown theoretically that the power in a continuous-wave saturating signal must be large enough to make γ²Bf² T.T₂>>1 for the nuclei concerned, where γ 1s their gyromagnetic ratio, T. and T₂ their spin-lattice and sp1n-sp1n relaxation time constants, and Bf is the peak amplitude of the radlofrequency electro¬ magnetic field produced 1n the sample by the saturating signal. For common substances Bf should usually be greater than 20 milligauss (2.0 millitesla) and saturation may be achieved in about 5 seconds. To give a shorter testing time it is preferable to use a series of higher-power pulses separated by intervals which are slightly greater than T₂. Typically a series of about ten to fifteen pulses of optimised timing, duration and r.f. phase relationship could constitute a saturating signal._. The pulse intervals could typically be about 50 μs and saturation may be achieved in less than 1 millisecond. It is convenient to use pulses of the same power and duration as are used to induce free induction decay (f.i.d.) or spin-echo signals in the measurement step of the cycle. An adequate saturating signal applied immediately before each cyclic test will standardise the situation at a set time prior to each measurement and will therefore standardise the unwanted superimposed signals from nuclei other than the NMR nuclei in the substance to be detected. When an adequate saturating signal is used prior to each cycle, all the test results may be used immediately with no waiting to reach equilibrium conditions and a desired sensitivity and reliability may be achieved with a shorter series of tests. The invention thereby makes such methods applicable for the routine checking of luggage,freight and postal packages with minimal delay. The application of a saturating signal at the beginning of each cycle has the additional advantage that it greatly reduces any responses from nuclei which have spin-lattice relaxation times longer than the cycle time. Three comparatively simple methods incorporating the invention will now be explained.

In the first of these methods the strength of the magnetic field is initially set to a value which is not a level-crossing field-strength for the substance to be detected and the cyclic tests comprise the steps of a) applying a saturating signal (as herein defined), b) changing the magnetic field strength to a level-crossing field strength for the substance to be detected and maintaining this level-crossing field strength during a time interval which is less than about !_ (T_X)QPF but greater than about _. (T.)_LC where (T-_^ ^ Is the sp1n-latt1ce relaxation time constant of the

NMR nuclei in the substance to be detected when 1t is in the level-crossing field and

1S its value in a magnetic field offset from the level-crossing field strength, c) changing the magnetic field strength to a different strength convenient for NMR measurements, applying one or more pulses of electromagnetic irradiation at or close to the NMR frequency of the NMR nuclei in the present magnetic field and measuring NMR response signals induced by the said one or more pulses. Usually the field strength in this step will be the same as was set up for step (a) at the beginning of the cycle, so that the next cycle can begin immediately after the measuring actions have been taken.

The above sequence of steps, using a level-crossing field in step (b), will be called an A-cycle. Preferably the method will also include some sequences called B-cycles in which the field strength used in step (b) is set to a selected value which is offset from the level-crossing field strength, and the responses from the A-cycles are compared with the responses from the B-cycles. The method may include. A and B cycles alternately (ABABAB ...) or alternating in pairs (AABBAABB...) or in sets (AA...BB...AA...BB...). The offset field strength may be selected with sufficient offset to give a substantially longer relaxation time for the NMR nuclei in the substance to be detected, and to be well away from any field strength which could be a level-crossing field for any species of quadrupolar nuclei in any other substance which 1s likely to be present in the samples or articles to be tested. The one or more pulses applied and the response signal measurements made in the last step of each cycle may be selected in accordance with any established NMR detection techniques, for instance as described by Fukushlma and Roeder 1n their book "Experimental Pulse NMR" (Addison-Wesley 1981). This first simple method is highly suitable for detecting substances in which T. ^ is very much smaller than (T-)QFF- For instance in the explosive RDX the ¹⁴N nuclei have (T.)_LC significantly less than one second, and have

of about 60 seconds in a field offset by just 4% from the level-crossing field strength at which the proton resonance frequency is about 5.1 MHz. The low value of (T-)_LC which applies in step (b) in the A-cycles of this method allows the excited NMR nuclei to quickly lose energy. In cases where the level-crossing field strength 1s comparatively high, it promotes a realignment of the nuclei as they lose energy, producing a remagnetlsation which increases the response signals measured in step (c) of each A cycle. This applies for the detection of the explosives HMX and RDX and for these cases step (b) may immediately follow the saturation signal. However, in cases where the level-crossing field strength is relatively low, the realignment and remagnetisation (which are proportional to the field) may be slower and less significant. For such cases (for instance in the detection of TNT or PETN) it is preferable to delay step ⁽b⁾, maintaining the original field strength for a time comparable to or greater than (T.)₀, the spin-lattice relaxation time of the NMR nuclei in this field strength, so that a substantial remagnetisation will develop before the field strength is reduced. Then in step (b) although the level-crossing condition promotes an exchange of energy between the spin- nuclei and the quadrupolar nuclei, the comparatively low field strength means that magnetisation is actually lost. It is reduced more quickly in the level-crossing field than in the offset field, so that the responses measured in the A cycles are In these cases less than the responses In the B cycles 1f the substance is present. This situation 1s so different 1t may be regarded as a second method of testing.

The third simple method is suitable for detecting substances in which the difference between ⁽T-⁾LC ^{and (T}i*OFF - ^s comparatively small, and when the level-crossing field strength is comparatively low, for instance TNT (trinitrotoluene), heroin or cocaine. In this method a magnetic field strength Bg which is not a level crossing field-strength for the substance to be detected is applied, and the cyclic tests comprise the steps of: a) applying a saturating signal (as herein defined) and maintaining the field-strength Bg for a time tg greater than

(T-)_Q from the end of the saturating signal, where (T_x)₀ is the spin-lattice relaxation time of NMR nuclei in the substance to be detected in the field strength Bg, b) then reducing the magnetic field-strength to zero in such manner that 1t will be at or close to one or more level- crossing field strengths at which the resonance frequency of NMR nuclei in the substance will equal a resonance frequency fg of quadrupolar nuclei in the said substance for a time or times comparable with Tg_|_g which is the cross-polarisation time constant of the said quadrupolar nuclei and the NMR nuclei in the said level-crossing field strength or field strengths, c) in zero magnetic field irradiating with electromagnetic waves at or close to one or more of the said resonance frequencies fg, d) increasing the magnetic field-strength in such manner that it will be at or close to one or more of the said level-crossing field-strengths for a time or tines comparable with T_QLC, e) and in a relatively high magnetic field strength applying one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation at or close to the NMR frequency of the NMR nuclei in the present magnetic field strength and measuring NMR response signals Induced by the said one or more pulses. Usually the field strength in this step will be the same strength Bg as set up for step (a).

The above sequence constitutes an A-cycle for the third method. Preferably the method will also include B-cycles in which the irradiation frequency in step (b) is offset from the NQR frequency to some frequency which is not likely to be an NQR frequency for any nuclei 1n any substance likely to be present. As the time constant Tg_Lg may be quite small and less than the times taken to decrease the magnetic field strength from Bg to zero and to increase it again from zero to Bg, 1t may not be necessary to hold the magnetic field strength at any level- crossing value during any distinct pauses. It will be enough to ensure that the magnetic field strength remains in the vicinity of the (or each) level-crossing field-strength for a time comparable with corresponding time constant Tg_LC in the course of each change. Where this does not apply and the field-strength is held at the level-crossing field strength for definite times, an alternative form for the B cycles could use a selected magnetic field strength offset from the level-crossing field strength during these times. In this third method the NMR (spin-X) nuclei achieve a significant realignment before the magnetic field is reduced to zero. When the level-crossing conditions occur as the field strength is decreased, this realignment is substantially reduced as the quadrupolar nuclei will exchange energy with the NMR nuclei. In the zero-field condition in the A cycles the irradiation at the NQR frequency imparts energy to the quadrupolar nuclei of the substance to be detected if it is present. In the level-crossing conditions which occur as the field strength is increased, some of this energy is transferred to the NMR nuclei, further reducing their average alignment and therefore reducing the response signals in the subsequent measurement.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that, in the present invention, the interval between the saturating signal and the establishment of the level-crossing condition need not be sufficient for the magnetisation to equilibrate; and indeed it is preferably shorter than this, in order to reduce the test duration. Actually, the level-crossing condition may be established substantially immediately after its respective saturating signal.

According .to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for detecting the presence of a specific substance in heterogeneous samples or articles, which includes a) means for applying a controllable and variable magnetic field, b) means for applying a saturating signal (as herein defined), c) means for applying radiofrequency pulses of controlled duration, timing, power and phase to induce free induction decay and/or spin-echo response signals from nuclei in samples or articles being examined, d) means for measuring the free induction decay or spin-echo response signals, and e) control means for operating the apparatus to perform cyclic tests wherein a saturating signal is applied to the sample or article at the beginning of each cyclic test.

The apparatus may also include means for applying pulsed radiofrequency electromagnetic waves at or close to a resonance frequency of quadrupolar nuclei in the substance to be detected. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figures 1,2 and 3 are graphical diagrams illustrating three methods of testing; and

Figure 4 is a block circuit diagram showing suitable apparatus for performing such tests.

Figure 1 shows diagrammatlcally the conditions applied in the first simple method of testing described above. The lowest trace shows the magnetic field strength variations, the middle trace shows pulses representing the amplitudes of the applied radiofrequency signals, and the top trace Indicates the free induction decay and spin-echo response signals which may be measured. At the beginning of each cycle the magnetic field has a strength Bg and the pulses marked S represent a saturating signal, which may typically consist of ten pulses shorter than 50 μs duration, 50 μs apart. Immediately after these pulses the magnetic field strength is changed. In the A-cycles 1t is changed to the level-crossing field strength BLQ as shown by the solid trace 10, but in the B-cycles it is changed to an offset value BgpF as indicated by the broken trace 11. In most cases B_|_g and B pp will be less than Bg as shown but it is conceivable that the method could alternatively be used, 1n some cases where B_|__c and B pp may be comparatively large, with Bg less than B_|__c. The duration t^ of step (b) in which the magnetic field Is held at BgpF or B_[_g 1s not shown to scale. It should be greater than X(T.)LQ and less than X( - gpF and may typically be 200 milliseconds.

The pulses marked M preferably form a series carefully controlled to produce spin-echo response signals which will depend on the state of the NMR (spin-X) nuclei at the end of step (b). Alternatively a single pulse could be used to induce a single free induction decay signal. The response signals from a number of A cycles and an equal number of B cycles will be measured and a sustained difference between the results from the A cycles and the B cycles may be taken as an indication of the presence of the substance to be detected. This method is effective for the detection of the explosives HMX and RDX.

Figure 2 illustrates the conditions of the second method, where the magnetic field reduction is delayed for a time t₀, and the level-crossing field-strength B_LC will be closer to zero. This method is applicable to the detection of explosives TNT and

PETN.

Figure 3 similarly illustrates the conditions applied in the third simple method of testing described above. In this case the magnetic field strength 1s maintained at the value Bg for a time tg after the end of the saturating signal S. This time tg should be comparable with (T_χ)g; for Instance in the range from %⁽T.)g to 3(T_x)g, and it may typically be one to ten seconds. Then the magnetic field strength is reduced to zero and radiofrequency radiation, either pulsed or continuous wave, at one or more frequencies at or close to the quadrupole resonance frequency fg are applied in the A cycles. In the B cycles a slightly different frequency or frequencies fnrjFF ^{w111 be used}- ⁽Note that these frequencies fg and fggpp will be distinctly different from fg, the NMR frequency in field strength Bg, which is used for the S and M pulses). As shown the magnetic field strength is held at the level crossing strength B₍_ς for a short time t_L during its increase and decrease, but it may not be necessary to have these distinct pauses if the time constant T _Lg is short enough. Measurements are made in the Bg field as before. This method is suitable for detecting TNT, PETN, heroin or cocaine when the frequencies fg and field strengths B_Lg are set appropriately for the substance to be detected.

Figure 4 shows suitable apparatus for these methods of testing. A controllable DC power supply 30 is connected to coils 31,32 of a large electromagnet arranged to produce a magnetic field B₀ in the horizontal direction on the drawing. A tuned radiofrequency coil in the form of a solenoid or a pair of coils in a Helmholtz or similar configuration is mounted in the gap between coils 31,32. This r.f. coil (or coils) is placed to produce a field transverse to the field Bg, and is shown diagrammatically in cross-section 33. Samples or articles to be tested will be placed within or passed through this coil (or coils) 33. The coil 33 will be tuned and matched to the r.f. supply circuits at the frequency fg of the NMR resonance in the field strength Bg. If the third method is to be used there will be a second coil or coil pair 33a which is mounted orthogonally to the coll or coils 33 and to the magnetic field Bg. This other coil or coil pair 33a 1s tuned and matched at the frequencies fg and f pF ^ancl ^ ^ be ^use(- ^to carry the 0 pulses of Figure 3. Radiofrequency sources 34,35 which may be oscillators or frequency synthesisers provide pulses of r.f. signals at the frequencies fg.fg, or fggFF ^as required. These r.f. pulses are applied through tuned r.f. power amplifiers 36a and 36b to r.f. gate circuits 38. A reflectance monitor 37 is provided to indicate any reflections of the r.f. signals. It is used.for tuning purposes, and also to indicate if any conducting or ferromagnetic material in the sample or article being tested is adversely affecting the tests. The r.f. gate circuits 38 connect the r.f. outputs as required to the tuned coil or coil pair 33 (or to the other tuned coil in the case of the Q pulses in the third method) and also connect the coil or coil pair 33 through a preamplifier 39 and amplifier 40 to phase sensitive detection and signal processing circuits 41 at appropriate times for the detection and measurement of the free Induction decay or spin-echo response signals. Timing control circuits 42 are connected to control the operations of the r.f. sources 34,35, the magnet power supply 30, the r.f. gate circuit 38 and the detection and signal processing circuits 41. The r.f. source 34 also supplies a signal of frequency fg as a reference to the timing circuits 42 and detection circuits 41. An r.f. monitor circuit 43 is also connected to a probe (not shown) to monitor the r.f. irradiation applied to the samples or articles under examination. This monitor 43 and the reflectance monitor 37 are used to confirm that suitable tuning and matching conditions are maintained and to detect if any ferromagnetic or conducting materials in the samples or articles are adversely affecting the testing process.

It will be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for detecting the presence of a spec'fic substance in a heterogeneous sample or article by cyclic tests in a magnetic field wherein a level-crossing condition for the substance to be detected is established for a set time and nuclear magnetic resonance signals are subsequently measured to detect some consequence of the level-crossing condition, a saturating signal being applied at the beginning of each cyclic test.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 and wherein each saturating signal is a short train of high-power pulses.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 and wherein the strength of the magnetic field is initially set to a value which is not a level-crossing field strength for the substance to be detected, and the cyclic tests Include A cycles which comprise the steps of a) applying a saturating signal, b) changing the magnetic field strength to a level-crossing field strength for the said substance and maintaining this level-crossing field strength during a time interval which is less than about y» .⁾gFF but greater than about X⁽T.⁾ _|_r_j where (T.)_|__c is the spin-lattice relaxation time constant of the NMR nuclei 1n the said substance when It is 1n the level-crossing field and ⁽T-)gFF is its value in a magnetic field offset from the level-crossing field strength, and c) changing the magnetic field strength to a different value, applying one or more pulses of electromagnetic irradiation at or close to the NMR frequency of the NMR nuclei in the present magnetic field and measuring NMR response signals induced by the said one or more pulses.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 3 wherein step (b) follows immediately after the saturating signal in each A cycle.

5. A method as claimed in Claim 3 and wherein the magnetic field strength is maintained at a high value after the saturating signal ends, for a time comparable with the spin-lattice relaxation time constant of NMR nuclei in the substance to be detected when in the said high value magnetic field strength, before step (b) is commenced in each cycle.

6. A method as claimed in Claim 3, Claim 4 or Claim 5 and wherein the cyclic tests also include B cycles which differ from the A cycles in that the magnetic field strength in step (b) is offset from the said level-crossing field strength, and the responses from the A-cycles are compared with the responses from the B-cycles.

7. A method as claimed in Claim 1 and wherein the strength of the magnetic field is initially set to a value which is not a level-crossing field-strength for the substance to be detected, and the cyclic tests include A cycles which comprise the steps of a) applying a saturating signal and maintaining the magnetic field strength for a time tg greater than (T.)g from the end of the saturating signal, b) then reducing the magnetic field-strength to zero in such a manner that it will be at or close to one or more level-crossing field strengths at which the resonance frequency of NMR nuclei in the said substance will equal a resonance frequency fg of quadrupolar nuclei 1n the said substance for a time comparable with Tg_Lg, the cross-polarisation time constant of the said quadrupolar nuclei with the NMR nuclei in the said level-crossing field strength, c) in zero magnetic field irradiating with electromagnetic waves at or close to one or more of the said resonance frequencies fg, d) increasing the magnetic field-strength in such manner that it will be at or close to one or more of the said level-crossing field-strengths for a time or times comparable with T_QLC, e) and in a relatively high magnetic field-strength applying one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation at or close to the NMR frequency of the NMR nuclei in the present magnetic field and measuring NMR response signals induced by the said one or more pulses.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 7 and wherein the cyclic tests also include B cycles which differ from the A cycles in that the irradiation in step (b) is at a frequency fgoFF whic is offset from the frequency fg.

9. A method as claimed in Claim 8 and wherein the magnetic field strength in step (c) is held at the said level-crossing field strength for one or more definite times t<_, and also including B cycles which differ from the A cycles in that during the times t_[_ in step (c) the magnetic field strength is offset from the level-crossing field strength, and the responses from the A cycles are compared with the responses from the B cycle.

10. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims and wherein the cyclic tests include at least one A cycle and at least one B cycle, the A and B cycles differing from each other in such a way that the presence of the substance can be detected by comparison between the A and B cycle results.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 10 and wherein the or each A cycle includes the step of applying a level-crossing magnetic field strength and the or each B cycle includes as its comparable step the step of applying a field strength offset from the level-crossing field strength.

12. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims and wherein the level-crossing condition is established substantially immediately after Its respective saturating signal.

13. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims and wherein the interval between the respective saturating signal and the establishment of the level-crossing condition is insufficient for the magnetisation to equilibrate.

14. A method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 11 or 13 and wherein the interval between the respective saturating signal and the establishment of the level-crossing condition is comparable with (T.)₀, preferably in the range % (T.)Q to 3 (T.)Q, more preferably in the range y. (T.)₀ to 2 ⁽T.⁾-,, where ⁽T.⁾ ₀ is the spin-lattice relaxation time of the NMR nuclei in the field strength (Bg) at which the saturating signal is applied.

15. Apparatus for detecting the presence of a specific substance in heterogeneous samples or articles which includes a) means for applying a controllable and variable magnetic field, b) means for applying a saturating signal, c) means for applying radiofrequency pulses of controlled duration, timing, power and phase to induce free induction decay and/or spin echo response signals from nuclei in samples or articles being examined, d) means for measuring the free induction decay or spin-echo response signals, and e) control means for operating the apparatus to perform cyclic tests wherein a saturating signal is applied to the sample or article at the beginning of each cyclic test.

16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 and also including means for applying electromagnetic waves at or close to a resonance frequency fg of quadrupolar nuclei in the substance to be detected, and at a frequency fggFF which is offset from the frequency fg. _r

17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 or 16 and wherein the control means is adapted to operate the apparatus to perform at least one A and at least one B cycle test, the A and B cycles differing from each other in such a way that the presence of the substance can be detected by comparison between the A and B cycle results, the control means including means for effecting such comparison.

18. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 17 and wherein the control means is adapted to apply a level-crossing magnetic field strength in each A cycle and at the comparable time in each B cycle is adapted to apply a field strength offset from the level-crossing field strength.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 18 and wherein the control means is adapted to operate the apparatus to apply a level-crossing magnetic field strength substantially immediately after the respective saturating signal.

20. A method for detecting the presence of a specific substance in a heterogeneous sample or article substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

21. Apparatus for detecting the presence of a specific substance in a heterogeneous sample or article substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.