Review and Extension of Advances in Zero-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Monitor Tholin Formation on Titan

Abstract

This paper explores the recent advancements in the field of NMR spectroscopy and proposes adapting this technique to study tholin formation on Saturn’s moon Titan. Reviewing the UC Berkeley paper: ‘Advances in Zero-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy’, which pioneered no-field NMR spectroscopy. This paper details various components and changes made to the technique since its conception, such as the use of PHIP, μ metal, nitrogen buffer gas, pump and probe lasers, which make NMR spectroscopy more accessible for space exploration. In addition to detailing the existing developments, this paper also specifies the key changes required to make NMR spectroscopy a feasible analytical technique for studying the formation of tholins. Our aim in this paper is to observe tholin formation so as to better understand the origin of life in the universe via the help of no-field NMR spectroscopy. The paper will include an overview on the principles behind NMR Spectroscopy, a chronological overview of the advancements in the field, review of the UC Berkeley paper, explanation of relevance of tholin formation and hypothesized adaptations required to make NMR Spectroscopy on Titan possible.