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  SETTING UP YOUR EXPERIMENT
   
 

While most modern NMR spectrometers use highly sophisticated computer systems (mostly Unix-based), the interface varies greatly from system to system. The discussion below is based on Bruker's ICON-NMR software; unless you are also using this system, the specific instructions will not be helpful to you. In this case, you should consult your local instructions for starting an experiment.

I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT DESIGNING AND RUNNIING AN NMR EXPERIMENT, INDEPENDENT OF THE SYSTEM USED.
   
 

Log into the computer system.

You are now ready to select an NMR experiment and to start the data acquisition process. The discussion below assumes that you are using ICON-NMR in its fully automated mode, which gives you little or no control over the experimental parameters.
  Check the BSMS panel next to the computer keyboard. If the red display does not read Standby, then press the STDBY key in the bottom row (fourth from the left).

Normally you will see the sample queue screen when you start a run, as shown below (get a larger version of the screen here). The screen, as you see it, may have some text in the large white area; these are previous requests. If they have been completed, your experiment(s) will be run immediately. If the earlier requests are still in progress, yours will be done in turn. You cannot delete experiments logged in by another user.

Click on the green CHANGE USER button in the bottom right corner to log in under your, or your instructor's, user ID.
 
   
  Select your name from the list and click OK (see a larger version here).
 
   
Enter your password when requested in the pop-up window shown below. Hit the return key on the SGI keyboard. If the system does not recognize the password you have typed, make sure that the CAPS LOCK key is not on. Unix is case-sensitive, so it distinguishes between lower- and upper-case.
 
   

You are now ready to enter your sample identification and request an experiment.