Structure of water molecules under 14 T magnetic field

In this study, we investigated the effects of strong magnetic fields of up to 14 T on the near-infrared spectrum of water molecules. We used a near-infrared spectrophotometer, which has an external optical cell box in a 14 T superconducting magnet. We measured the near-infrared spectrum of water in the range of 900–2000 nm by changing the optical path lengths from 0.1 to 100 mm. The peak wavelengths in the near-infrared spectrum in the range of 900–2000 nm of water, increased in length by 1–3 nm under a 14 T magnetic field. Also, we measured a near-infrared spectrum of glucose solutions under a magnetic field at 14 T to investigate the hydration of sugar. In contrast to the case of water, the peak wavelength of glucose solutions showed blueshift under a 14 T magnetic field. When the magnetic fields were changed from 0 to 14 T, the differential optical absorbance of the glucose solution at 958 nm increased compared to the controls. There is a possibility that the 14 T magnetic field affects the formation of hydrogen bonds of water molecules and the hydration of glucose molecules.