Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a versatile method for obtaining chemical, physical, and structural information about local properties of matter. In chemistry and biochemistry the method provides detailed and quantitative information on the structure and dynamics of organic compounds. For solids the NMR spectroscopy offers insights into the atomic and crystal structure, allowing to study local crystalline environment, defects and phase transitions, dynamics, or even magnetism.

In the talk I will show a few examples how NMR spectroscopy can be utilized for studying various condensed matter systems. High resolution can be achieved in solids by applying magic angle spinning (MAS) and this technique was applied to ²⁷Al and ¹³⁹La NMR in La_{1- x}Ce_xAlO₃ crystals. Peaks from different Ce–O–La pathways can be resolved in ¹³⁹La NMR spectra, while the behavior of ²⁷Al spectrum is rather related to the change of the crystal structure in the vicinity of Ce ions.

Behavior of individual molecules of normal and heavy water in beryl single crystals was studied by ¹H and ²H NMR spectroscopy. From temperature dependences of the spectra our analysis shows that the molecules perform rapid vibrations and orientational jumps within the beryl voids. We suggest that this is due to the molecules attaching to the oxygen atoms forming the beryl structural voids by a hydrogen bond.

⁵⁵Mn NMR experiment allowed to observe and, in combination with DFT calculations, to identify fine details of the structure of Ni₂MnGa Heusler alloy. Splitting of spectral lines is connected with modulation of the Martensite structure and additional lines appearing in the spectrum are induced by Mn-Ga anti-site defects.