(ESR) Electron
spin resonance is a spectroscopic technique to identify paramagnetic substances. This
magnetic resonance phenomenon investigates the nature of the bonding within molecules by identifying unpaired electrons, e.g. in free radicals and their interaction with their immediate surroundings. The
Larmor frequency are much higher than corresponding
NMR frequencies in the same static
magnetic field.
Nuclei with an odd number of neutrons and/or protons, because of their
spin, react like tiny magnets and can be lined up in an applied
magnetic field.
Energy applied by alternating
radio frequency radiation is absorbed when its
frequency coincides with that of
precession of the electron magnets. The
spectrum of radiation absorbed as the field changes gives information valuable in chemistry, biology, and medicine since over 50 years.