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Peak-Picking

Peak-picking means extracting the frequencies of the peaks, either from the whole spectrum or from selected regions. These frequencies are usually reported on the plot. Not all the peaks are considered. When they are so tall that they go out of the plot, they are filtered out. There is also a minimal threshold value: the weakest signals are ignored. It is fundamental to understand how this threshold is set.

To extract the frequencies you use a specialized tool (command: Tools > Peak-Picker), which is the same both in 1-D and n-D spectroscopy. The difference in 2-D peak-picking is explained in the closing paragraph. When you use the tool for the second time on the same region, the old labels are replaced.

The frequencies are stored with the spectrum. You can use the J Manager to convert them into coupling constants and chemical shifts.

to perform this task

this is how to proceed

defining/removing a visible threshold

alt-click to create/delete an horizontal mark that can be moved with the mouse. The visible threshold overrides the temporary threshold. When there are many horizontal lines, the lowest one is considered.

defining a temporary threshold
(preferred)

When you click with the cross-shaped picker tool, and no threshold exists yet, the imaginary horizontal line passing through the cross defines the threshold. It appears and moves until you release the mouse.

defining a fall-back threshold

It corresponds to the user preference called Short Distance (found at the bottom-left of the second panel). If the value of this option (expressed in screen points) is less than 4, a built-in value of 4 is used. The fallback threshold takes the lowest precedence. It is employed when you first select a region, then choose the picker tool.

picking some peaks

Select a region with the picker tool.

picking all the peaks (Mac only)

Triple-click with the picker tool.

picking a single peak

Click INTO the peak with the picker tool.

picking a secondary maximum

When two peaks are too close, the picker tool only sees the highest one. To pick the smaller peak, Right-click and select Pick Peak.

picking a shoulder

Right-click the shoulder and select Pick Mouse. iNMR will not search the nearest maximum, as it usually does, but will register the exact frequency where you have clicked.

removing a single label

Click the corresponding peak with the picker tool.

removing some labels

Set the threshold so high that all your peaks are lower and select the region with the picker tool. You can set the threshold and select a region with a single operation (click and move the mouse).

removing all the labels

Choose View > Remove Frequencies. On the Mac the command appears when you hold down the alt key. The alternative, on the Mac, is a triple click with a very high threshold.

hiding the labels

Choose View > Peak Frequencies. The same command shows them again.

reporting the frequencies in Hz

The frequencies are normally reported with the same unit used for the scale. If you prefer the labels in Hz, even when the scale is in ppm, press the apostrophe key. Press it again to revert the option.

reporting the line widths

Press the double quotes key. Press it again to revert the option.

hiding the small ticks over the selected peaks

Open the User Preferences (panel: Display) and set Short Distance = 0.

changing the color, the font, the size or the number of digits of the labels

You can change all these things inside your User Preferences.

printing or saving the list of frequencies

Choose Edit > Copy > List of Peaks and paste it where you need.


2-D Peak Picking

2-D Peak Picking keeps many similarity with the 1-D operations described o far. It also includes a dialog, that offers additional choices. To open the dialog choose the picker tool and double click the spectrum. The dialog also appears when you select a region that already contains a frequency label. The controls inside the dialog are easy to understand, if you have already mastered 1-D peak-picking. The threshold normally corresponds to the lowest contour of the plot.
The merging concept is not completely new. In 1D, when 2 peaks are separated by a single intermediate point, they are considered a unique peak. In 2-D, peaks are also merged, but you are allowed to specify the minimum distance (in Hz) for two peaks to be considered different entities. When you specify a value larger than the coupling constants, a multiplet is treated like a single peak.

Related Topics

Generating the List of Chemical Shifts and Coupling Constants

Cross-Hair and Interpolator Tool

 

Web Tutorial

Visual Guide to Peak-Picking