Optimal imaging strategies for three-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance microscopy

Abstract

Imaging strategies optimized for high-field, high-resolution, three-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and microscopy are investigated with a focus on the spin-diffusion process which predominantly determines image contrast as well as ultimate resolution and signal-to-noise ratio under strong gradient fields. Considerations include gradient-echo versus spin-echo techniques, real versus magnitude reconstructions, half-echo versus full-echo acquisitions, and low-diffusion-weighted imaging versus high-diffusion-weighted imaging. Experimental results with microscopic phantoms and a biological sample such as in vivo Xenopus laevis embryo are shown with a 7.0 T microscopy system.