An improvement in a magnetic resonance method for determining the mass of
samples wherein the samples include powdered solid materials, including
applying a first magnetic field in a first direction in an interrogation
zone for creating a net magnetisation within a sample located within the
interrogation zone; applying an alternating magnetic field in a second
direction in the interrogation zone for temporarily changing the net
magnetisation of the sample; monitoring energy emitted by the sample as
the net magnetisation of the sample returns to its original state and
generating an output signal having a characteristic which is proportional
to the energy emitted; comparing the output signal characteristic with
like data obtained from at least one similar sample of known mass; and,
determining the mass of the sample; the improvement being one of
generating the static magnetic field having a field strength in the range
of about 0.1 T to about 1.3 T, or disposing the samples within a distance
of about 0.5 mm from the surface of the magnetic probe generating the
static magnetic field; applying the alternating magnetic field to the
sample; sensing the free induction decay energy of the sample and
generating a corresponding output free induction decay signal.
