In addition to the use of standard high-field NMR spectrometers, our group has been exploring the use of smaller NMR spectrometers to do simple materials identification and quantum computing. Below is a table-top NMR setup I built using permanent magnets (f=4.6 MHz). The circuit design is based on 2 classic NMR experiments I used in undergrad lab classes. (8.14 & 8.12 for you MIT types). However, the primary challenge here was to design a low-cost permanent magnet with sufficient uniformity to enable detection of NMR.
First NMR signal seen at the Media Lab. It is a spin-echo signal from glycerol
View of table-top NMR setup. Showing custom-designed low-cost permanent magnetassembly and sample probe. A simple iron vise was used as a flux return; however the square and parallel geometry of the pole pieces and spacers were critical. One of the signal amplifier stages was built by Matt Reynolds. Special thanks to Jay Kirsch of MIT Physics Department for letting me use his laboratory facilities.