A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) apparatus includes at least one magnet configured to induce a static magnetic field in a sample of material to be analyzed, wherein the sample is disposed on one side of the at least one magnet. The at least one magnet is configured such that the static magnetic field induced in the sample of material to be analyzed is substantially planar along lines of equal static magnetic field amplitude. A method includes inducing a static magnetic field in a sample of material to be analyzed. The static magnetic field is substantially planar along surfaces of equal amplitude of the static magnetic field. The inducing originates on one side of the sample. A radio frequency magnetic field is induced in the sample substantially orthogonally to the static magnetic field. NMR phenomena excited in the sample are detected.
