Spin-lattice relaxation

Spin-lattice relaxation is a process in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) where energy from excited atomic nuclei (spins) is transferred to their surrounding environment (lattice). When nuclei are energized by a magnetic field, they eventually release this energy back to the lattice, returning to equilibrium. This relaxation process determines how quickly the nuclei "forget" their previous state, affecting the signal quality in NMR imaging and spectroscopy. Essentially, spin-lattice relaxation describes how nuclear spins lose energy to their surroundings, enabling scientists to analyze molecular structures and dynamics.