Is a quantum of energy such as that in transverse RF field produced by NMR probe absorbed instantaneously by a single nucleus? It would make sense - that way the photon would either exist or it wouldn't and it would not have to be disappearing gradually like a Cheshire cat :).

If that were so, then how would you reconciliate that notion with the gradual nutation picture shown in the NMR books, such as text by Dr. Levitt - e.g. Fig. 10.21 of "Spin Dynamics", second edition? - where an RF pulse such as 90 degree gradually transforms spin state |alpha> of a single spin 1/2 nucleus to |-y>?

Is a quantum of energy such as that in transverse RF field produced by NMR probe absorbed instantaneously by a single nucleus? It would make sense - that way the photon would either exist or it wouldn't and it would not have to be disappearing gradually like a Cheshire cat :).

If that were so, then how would you reconciliate that notion with the gradual nutation picture shown in the NMR books, such as text by Dr. Levitt - e.g. Fig. 10.21 of "Spin Dynamics", second edition? - where an RF pulse such as 90 degree gradually transforms spin state |alpha> of a single spin 1/2 nucleus to |-y>?

Is a quantum of energy such as that in transverse RF field produced by NMR probe absorbed instantaneously by a single nucleus? It would make sense - that way the photon would either exist or it wouldn't and it would not have to be disappearing gradually like a Cheshire cat :).

If that were so, then how would you reconciliate that notion with the gradual nutation picture shown in the NMR books, such as text by Dr. Levitt - e.g. Fig. 10.21 of "Spin Dynamics", second edition? - where an RF pulse such as 90 degree gradually transforms spin state |alpha> of a single spin 1/2 nucleus to |-y>?

Is a quantum of energy such as that in transverse RF field produced by NMR probe absorbed instantaneously by a single nucleus? It would make sense - that way the photon would either exist or it wouldn't and it would not have to be disappearing gradually like a Cheshire cat :).

If that were so, then how would you reconciliate that notion with the gradual nutation picture shown in the NMR books, such as text by Dr. Levitt - e.g. Fig. 10.21 of "Spin Dynamics", second edition? - where an RF pulse such as 90 degree gradually transforms spin state |alpha> of a single spin 1/2 nucleus to |-y>?

Is a quantum of energy such as that in transverse RF field produced by NMR probe absorbed instantaneously by a single nucleus? It would make sense - that way the photon would either exist or it wouldn't not and it would not have to be disappearing gradually like a Cheshire cat :).

If that were so, then how would you reconciliate that notion with the gradual nutation picture shown in the NMR books, such as text by Dr. Levitt - e.g. Fig. 10.21 of "Spin Dynamics", second edition? - where an RF pulse such as 90 degree gradually transforms spin state |alpha> of a single spin 1/2 nucleus to |-y>?

Is a quantum of energy such as that in transverse RF field produced by NMR probe absorbed instantaneously by a single nucleus? It would make sense - that way the photon would either exist or not and it would not have to be disappearing gradually like a Cheshire cat :).

If that were so, then how would you reconciliate that notion with the gradual nutation picture shown in the NMR books, such as text by Dr. Levitt - e.g. Fig. 10.21 of "Spin Dynamics", second edition? - where an RF pulse such as 90 degree gradually transforms spin state |alpha> of a single spin 1/2 nucleus to |-y>?

Is a quantum of energy such as that in transverse RF field produced by NMR probe absorbed instantaneously by a single nucleus? It would make sense - that way the photon would either exist or not and it would not have to be disappearing gradually like a Cheshire cat :).

If that were so, then how would you reconciliate reconcile that notion with the gradual nutation picture shown in the NMR books, such as text by Dr. Levitt - e.g. Fig. 10.21 of "Spin Dynamics", second edition? - where an RF pulse such as 90 degree gradually transforms spin state |alpha> of a single spin 1/2 nucleus to |-y>?

The other thing that's weird in this case - shouldn't it only take half the energy of the photon to convert |alpha> to |-y>, which is halfway between |alpha> and |beta>?

Is a quantum of energy such as that in transverse RF field produced by NMR probe absorbed instantaneously by a single nucleus? It would make sense - that way the photon would either exist or not and it would not have to be disappearing gradually like a Cheshire cat :).

If that were so, then how would you reconcile that notion with the gradual nutation picture shown in the NMR books, such as text by Dr. Levitt - e.g. Fig. 10.21 of "Spin Dynamics", second edition? - where an RF pulse such as 90 degree gradually transforms spin state |alpha> of a single spin 1/2 nucleus to |-y>?

The other thing that's weird in this case - shouldn't it only take half the energy of the photon to convert |alpha> to |-y>, which is halfway between a 50/50 mix of |alpha> and |beta>?

Is a quantum of energy such as that in transverse RF field produced by NMR probe absorbed instantaneously by a single nucleus? It would make sense - that way the photon would either exist or not and it would not have to be disappearing gradually like a Cheshire cat :).

If that were so, then how would you reconcile that notion with the gradual nutation picture for a single spin 1/2 nucleus shown in the NMR books, such as text by Dr. Levitt - e.g. Fig. 10.21 of "Spin Dynamics", second edition? - where an RF pulse such as 90 degree gradually transforms spin state |alpha> of a single spin 1/2 nucleus to |-y>?

The other thing that's weird in this case - shouldn't it only take half the energy of the photon to convert |alpha> to |-y>, which is a 50/50 mix of |alpha> and |beta>?