Abstract
Superconducting QUantum-Interference Devices (SQUIDs) make magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) possible in ultra-low microtesla-range magnetic fields. In this work, we investigate the design parameters affecting the signal and noise performance of SQUID-based sensors and multichannel magnetometers for MRI of the brain. Besides sensor intrinsics, various noise sources along with the size, geometry and number of superconducting detector coils are important factors affecting the image quality. We derive figures of merit based on optimal combination of multichannel data, analyze different sensor array designs, and provide tools for understanding the signal detection and the different noise mechanisms. The work forms a guide to making design decisions for both imaging- and sensor-oriented readers.
Highlights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a widely used imaging method in clinical applications and research
We investigate the design work may be used under the terms of the Creative parameters affecting the signal and noise performance of superconducting quantum-interference devices (SQUIDs)-based sensors and multichannel
Combined with the so-called prepolarization technique for signal enhancement, highly sensitive magnetic field detectors, typically those based on superconducting quantum-interference devices (SQUIDs), provide an nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) that is independent of B0 [2]
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a widely used imaging method in clinical applications and research. It is based on measuring the magnetic signal resulting from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of 11H nuclei (protons). In NMR, the magn etization rotates around an applied magnetic field B at the proton Larmor frequency fL, which is proportional to B [1]. This behavior of the magnetization is often referred to as precession due to the direct connection to the quantum mechanical precession of nuclear spin angular momentum. There has been growing interest in ultra-lowfield (ULF) MRI, usually measured in a field on the order of Earth’s magnetic field (B0 ∼ 10–100 μT)
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