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Alexander Pines coauthored a method enhancing nuclear magnetic resonance signals from dilute nuclear spins in solids. Repeated transfer of polarization from abundant spins, usually protons, strengthens the rarer species' signal. Decoupling the abundant spins during observation then improves spectral resolution. The technique separates the problem of building a detectable spin polarization from the problem of measuring a narrow resonance, making otherwise weak solid-state spectra accessible.^[ref]

J. S. Waugh helped develop proton-enhanced solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance with Alexander Pines and M. G. Gibby. Their method transfers polarization from abundant proton spins to more dilute nuclear spins, making otherwise weak signals easier to observe.^[ref]

This cross-polarization (nuclear magnetic resonance) technique separates creating a strong spin signal from reducing spectral broadening during its detection.

M. G. Gibby, with Alexander Pines and J. S. Waugh, developed enhanced detection of dilute spins in solids through proton polarization transfer. The work connected spin manipulation with both signal enhancement and resolved spectra.^[ref]

Abundant spins serve as a polarization resource, while their interactions must also be managed so that the dilute-spin spectrum remains interpretable. The cross-polarization (nuclear magnetic resonance) mechanism therefore addresses sensitivity without making line broadening irrelevant.

Alexander Pines, M. G. Gibby and J. S. Waugh, Journal of Chemical Physics 59, 569–590. DOI: 10.1063/1.1680061. Original abstract: transfer of polarization from abundant spins to rare spins, followed by decoupling for spectral resolution.

Author-laboratory full text: pines.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/publications/proton-enhanced_nmr_of_dilute_spins_in_solids.pdf