The drive to improve the sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tosmaller and smaller sample volumes has led to the development of a variety oftechniques distinct from conventional inductive detection. In this chapter, wefocus on the technique of force-detected NMR as one of the most successful inyielding sensitivity improvements. We review the rationale for the technique,its basic principles, and give a brief history of its most important results.We then cover in greater detail its application in the first demonstration ofthree-dimensional (3D) nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) withnanometer-scale resolution. Next we present recent developments and likelypaths for improvement. Finally, the technique and its potential are discussedin the context of competing and complementary technologies.
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