Sciencespace
Quantum physicists trace a century of controlling spin
Quantum mechanics features a fundamental particle property known as spin, which lacks any direct everyday analog. Over the past century, scientists have mastered the ability to manipulate this property using precisely shaped electromagnetic pulses. This capability underpins two major modern technologies: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used widely in healthcare, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for structural biology and drug discovery.