The signal-to-noise ratio of the nuclear magnetic resonance experiment

A fresh approach to the calculation of signal-to-noise ratio, using the Principle of Reciprocity, is formulated. The method is shown, for a solenoidal receiving coil, to give the same results as the traditional method of calculation, but its advantage lies in its ability to predict the ratio for other coil configurations. Particular attention is paid to the poor performance of a saddle-shaped (or Helmholtz) coil. Some of the practical problems involved are also discussed, including the error of matching the probe to the input impedance of the preamplifier.