Spins swing like pendulums do: an exact classical model for TOCSY transfer in systems of three isotropically coupled spins 1/2

An exact correspondence is found between the quantum dynamics of three isotropically coupled spins 1/2 and the dynamics of three coupled classical oscillators. This correspondence is demonstrated by experimentally simulating the polarization transfer functions of an isotropic mixing TOCSY experiment with a set of mechanically coupled pendulums. The extend to which the exact correspondence holds is analyzed and it is shown that it breaks down for systems consisting of more than three coupled spins.