Field Cycling (FC) is a measurement method which uses variable magnetic fields to measure the magnetization of a sample. Fast Field Cycling describes the same method but uses fast switchable magnetic fields.
There are two main groups in which Field Cycling can be divided:
Mechanical Field Cycling moves the sample between two positions with different (static) magnetic fields. Mechanical Field Cycling can be done using static magnetic fields whereas switchable fields are needed for Electrical Field Cycling. The sample remains at its original position during the Field Cycling.
Applications
Field Cycling is used in Fast Field Cycling Relaxometry to measure specific physical and chemical properties of materials. For instance, nuclear resonance frequencies depend on the molecular environment. Furthermore, nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rates depend on local molecular mobility.