Amplitude Of Radiofrequency Field Research Articles

B1 mapping by Bloch‐Siegert shift

A novel method for amplitude of radiofrequency field (B1+) mapping based on the Bloch-Siegert shift is presented. Unlike conventionally applied double-angle or other signal magnitude-based methods, it encodes the B(1) information into signal phase, resulting in important advantages in terms of acquisition speed, accuracy, and robustness. The Bloch-Siegert frequency shift is caused by irradiating with an off-resonance radiofrequency pulse following conventional spin excitation. When applying the off-resonance radiofrequency in the kilohertz range, spin nutation can be neglected and the primarily observed effect is a spin precession frequency shift. This shift is proportional to the square of the magnitude of B1(2). Adding gradient image encoding following the off-resonance pulse allows one to acquire spatially resolved B(1) maps. The frequency shift from the Bloch-Siegert effect gives a phase shift in the image that is proportional to B(1)(2). The phase difference of two acquisitions, with the radiofrequency pulse applied at two frequencies symmetrically around the water resonance, is used to eliminate undesired off-resonance effects due to amplitude of static field inhomogeneity and chemical shift. In vivo Bloch-Siegert B(1) mapping with 25 sec/slice is demonstrated to be quantitatively comparable to a 21-min double-angle map. As such, this method enables robust, high-resolution B(1)(+) mapping in a clinically acceptable time frame.

A concentration-independent method to measure exchange rates in PARACEST agents

The efficiency of chemical exchange dependent saturation transfer (CEST) agents is largely determined by their water or proton exchange kinetics, yet methods to measure such exchange rates are variable and many are not applicable to in vivo measurements. In this work, the water exchange kinetics of two prototype paramagnetic agents (PARACEST) are compared by using data from classic NMR line-width measurements, by fitting CEST spectra to the Bloch equations modified for chemical exchange, and by a method where CEST intensity is measured as a function of applied amplitude of radiofrequency field. A relationship is derived that provides the water exchange rate from the X-intercept of a plot of steady-state CEST intensity divided by reduction in signal caused by CEST irradiation versus 1/omega(1)(2), referred to here as an omega plot. Furthermore, it is shown that this relationship is independent of agent concentration. Exchange rates derived from omega plots using either high-resolution CEST NMR data or CEST data obtained by imaging agree favorably with exchange rates measured by the more commonly used Bloch fitting and line-width methods. Thus, this new method potentially allows access to a direct measure of exchange rates in vivo, where the agent concentration is typically unknown.

Nonlinear Resonant and Chaotic Dynamics in Microwave Assisted Magnetization Switching

The switching process of a uniformly magnetized magnetic nanoparticle is considered. The particle is subject to applied fields having both dc and linearly-polarized radio-frequency (RF) components. The possibility of using the RF power to obtain a reduced coercivity of the particle is related to the onset of chaotic magnetization dynamics for moderately low values of the RF field amplitude. Perturbation technique for the evaluation of the reduced coercive field is developed and applied to the microwave assisted switching of the particle. Numerical simulations confirm the predictions of the theory.

Hybrid adiabatic‐rectangular pulse train for effective saturation of magnetization within the whole heart at 3 T

Uniform T(1)-weighting is a major challenge for first-pass cardiac perfusion MRI at 3 T. Previously proposed adiabatic amplitude of radiofrequency field (B(1))-insensitive rotation (BIR-4) pulse and standard and tailored pulse trains of three nonselective pulses have been important developments but each pulse has limitations at 3 T. As an extension of the tailored pulse train, we developed a hybrid pulse train by synergistically combining two nonselective rectangular radiofrequency pulses and an adiabatic half-passage pulse, in order to achieve effective saturation of magnetization within the heart, while remaining within clinically acceptable specific absorption rate limits. The standard pulse train, tailored pulse train, hybrid pulse train, and BIR-4 pulse train were evaluated through numerical, phantom, and in vivo experiments. Among the four saturation pulses, only the hybrid pulse train yielded residual magnetization <2% of equilibrium magnetization in the heart while remaining within clinically acceptable specific absorption rate limits for multislice first-pass cardiac perfusion MRI at 3 T.

Dynamics of a resonantly driven two-spin system

Dynamics of a coupled two-spin system in a static magnetic field are investigated. An analysis is presented of resonance transitions driven by a circularly polarized radio-frequency (RF) field orthogonal to the static field. When the RF field amplitude is modulated at a certain frequency depending on the field strength, the system exhibits parametric resonance behavior. The periodicity of transitions breaks down, and the Shannon entropy of the recurrence probability density for the system’s states increases by more than an order of magnitude.

High-resolution, high-sensitivity NMR of nanolitre anisotropic samples by coil spinning

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can probe the local structure and dynamic properties of liquids and solids, making it one of the most powerful and versatile analytical methods available today. However, its intrinsically low sensitivity precludes NMR analysis of very small samples-as frequently used when studying isotopically labelled biological molecules or advanced materials, or as preferred when conducting high-throughput screening of biological samples or 'lab-on-a-chip' studies. The sensitivity of NMR has been improved by using static micro-coils, alternative detection schemes and pre-polarization approaches. But these strategies cannot be easily used in NMR experiments involving the fast sample spinning essential for obtaining well-resolved spectra from non-liquid samples. Here we demonstrate that inductive coupling allows wireless transmission of radio-frequency pulses and the reception of NMR signals under fast spinning of both detector coil and sample. This enables NMR measurements characterized by an optimal filling factor, very high radio-frequency field amplitudes and enhanced sensitivity that increases with decreasing sample volume. Signals obtained for nanolitre-sized samples of organic powders and biological tissue increase by almost one order of magnitude (or, equivalently, are acquired two orders of magnitude faster), compared to standard NMR measurements. Our approach also offers optimal sensitivity when studying samples that need to be confined inside multiple safety barriers, such as radioactive materials. In principle, the co-rotation of a micrometre-sized detector coil with the sample and the use of inductive coupling (techniques that are at the heart of our method) should enable highly sensitive NMR measurements on any mass-limited sample that requires fast mechanical rotation to obtain well-resolved spectra. The method is easy to implement on a commercial NMR set-up and exhibits improved performance with miniaturization, and we accordingly expect that it will facilitate the development of novel solid-state NMR methodologies and find wide use in high-throughput chemical and biomedical analysis.

Optimization of multi-element transverse field radio frequency surface coils

In several MRI and MRS applications it is necessary to select a well-defined region of interest (ROI) with optimized signal-to-noise ratio and radio frequency (RF) field homogeneity. We have shown, theoretically and experimentally, that transverse field RF surface coils comprising a multitude of parallel linear elements are characterized by improved B1 spatial homogeneity and sensitivity in the central ROI, with respect to the standard square loop design. Finite-element modelling of RF coils tuned to 64.0 MHz was used to study the effect of the number of linear current elements and relative positioning with respect to B1 field homogeneity and sensitivity in the central ROI, both when empty and in the presence of a homogeneous tissue model. Workbench B1 field calibrations obtained with RF coil prototypes tuned to 64.0 MHz are in good agreement with our theoretical finite-element modelling. We have shown that the number of linear current elements and their relative positioning can be carefully selected to optimize either the B1 field homogeneity or sensitivity in the central ROI. We have shown that a number of multi-element RF coil geometries can be chosen to obtain an optimized RF field distribution and/or field amplitude. For example, we found that a six-element RF coil with 6 mm element separation is a good compromise for optimizing the B1 sensitivity (up to a factor 2) and the spatial homogeneity (about 30 mm with ΔB1/B1 ⩽ 20%) in the central ROI, with respect to the standard square loop or the two-element FO8 design. MRI images obtained at 2.35 T (proton frequency 100.34 MHz) with standard GE pulse sequences showed that the six-element FO8 prototype significantly increases the RF field homogeneity and RF field amplitude, with respect to the SL coil design.

14N Pulsed nuclear quadrupole resonance. 2. Effect of a single radio-frequency pulse in the general case

A novel theory, based on density operator calculations, is provided for assessing the nuclear quadrupole resonance behaviour of a spin 1 (14N) subjected to a single radio-frequency pulse. It is for a powder sample in zero magnetic field for an electric field gradient tensor without symmetry. A complete set of equations is obtained for the quantities of interest. It is derived from the general Liouville–von Neumann equation and from a proper basis on which the density operator is expanded. Theoretical results, in terms of signal evolution as a function of the pulse length (nutation experiments), show that the same nutation curve is expected for the three different transitions which exist when the electric field gradient tensor is without symmetry. This latter nutation curve is, however, different from that which prevails in the case of an axially symmetric tensor, this apparent discrepancy being easily resolved on theoretical grounds. Experimental data (for NaNO2, electric field gradient tensor without symmetry) are checked against values of the radio-frequency field amplitude provided by NMR measurements performed with the same equipment. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained.

14N pulsed nuclear quadrupole resonance. 1. Nutation experiments in the case of an axially symmetric electric field gradient tensor

An exact theory based on density matrix calculations is provided for assessing the nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) behaviour of a spin 1 (14N) subjected to a single radio-frequency pulse. It concerns a powder sample in zero magnetic field with the assumption of an axially symmetric electric field gradient tensor. Theoretical results, in terms of signal evolution as a function of the pulse length (nutation experiments), are checked against values of the radio-frequency field amplitude provided by NMR measurements performed with the same equipment. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained.

Radio-frequency electromagnetic field influence on critical behavior of thin granular Y-Ba-Cu-O films

A dc critical current response of a thin (300 nm) c-oriented granular Y-Ba-Cu-O film to an excitation of radiofrequency (up to 10 MHz) electromagnetic field has been studied at the temperature 77 K. We have used the scheme where a bridge of the film is radiated by an overhead coil loading radiofrequency (RF) generator. The dependencies of the critical current value vs the amplitude and the frequency of the RF field have been obtained. For each discrete frequency in the range of 0 to 10 MHz the critical current becomes zero at some threshold value of the RF field amplitude. The critical current suppression maximum factor has been obtained at the frequency 10 MHz which was equal to 5. The results could serve as a basis for creating three-terminal superconducting devices.

Carbon-proton dipolar decoupling in REDOR

Dipolar decoupling of protons with radiofrequency field amplitudes comparable to those used for the rare-spin refocusing and dephasing pi pulses results in accurate, high-sensitivity determinations of internuclear distances in rotational-echo double-resonance experiments and simulations performed on (13)C and (15)N-labeled l-alanine. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Deuterium to carbon cross-polarization in liquid crystals

The theory describing nuclear cross-polarization from a spin-1 to spin-1/2 is generalized to sweeps of the radio-frequency field amplitude. This allows efficient cross-polarization over the entire width of the deuterium NMR spectrum of partially oriented systems, such as liquid crystals. Such experiments permit the assignment and measurement of the deuterium quadrupolar couplings, and hence the quantification of the order parameters which characterize the dynamics of such systems. The evolution of the spin system can be understood in terms of individual quasiadiabatic population exchanges, allowing the prediction of the effects of the various experimental parameters on the efficiency of cross-polarization.

Adiabatic Coherence Transfer in Magnetic Resonance of Homonuclear Scalar-Coupled Systems

By analogy to heteronuclear systems, it is shown that coherence can be transferred adiabatically in the rotating frame between two selected spins I and S belonging to a homonuclear network of scalar-coupled spins. In contrast to cross polarization with constant radiofrequency field amplitudes, the transfer function obtained with adiabatic methods depends in a monotonic, nonoscillatory manner on the duration of the transfer interval. The efficiency of the transfer does not depend on the magnitude of the scalar coupling constant J IS, although it can be affected by relaxation and by couplings J IR and J SR to further spins R. Three methods are investigated: (i) adiabatic demagnetization of spin I in the rotating frame followed by observation of the resulting J-ordered state, (ii) adiabatic demagnetization of spin I in the rotating frame followed by adiabatic remagnetization of spin S, and (iii) adiabatic transfer where spins I and S are subjected simultaneously to time-dependent spin-locking fields. In all three cases, the optimum shape of the time dependence of the radiofrequency field amplitudes is discussed, with the help of a geometric interpretation of cross polarization.

NMR cross polarization by adiabatic passage through the Hartmann—Hahn condition (APHH)

It is shown that the heteronuclear cross-polarization efficiency in the rotating frame can be improved by sweeping the radio-frequency amplitude adiabatically through the Hartmann—Hahn condition. The enhancement is particularly significant for strongly coupled IS spin systems with weak dipolar coupling to extraneous spins. A good approximation to an adiabatic transfer is obtained with a tangential time dependence of the radiofrequency field amplitude whereby transient oscillations are efficiently suppressed.

Space-dependent quasi-linear theory of lower-hybrid waves

The quasi-linear diffusion coefficients for the inherently space-dependent wave amplitudes in lower-hybrid heating and current-drive experiments are derived and compared with the usual space-independent approximation. The distribution function is derived and the dependence on the radio-frequency field amplitude gradient of the ‘plateau’, which is an essential quantity in thetheoretical description of LH experiments, is stressed.

Multiquantum resonances in low-field optically detected ESR of radical-ion pairs

Multiquantum resonances in low-field optically-detected electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of radiation-induced radical-ion pairs of aromatic acceptors in liquid and some polymeric solutions have been studied experimentally and theoretically. Corresponding resonances occur in spectra under the action of relatively intense radiofrequency (RF) pumping, when usual signals are inverse due to spin-locking effect. Special experiments have been carried out to prove that such resonances are not caused by the apparatus. The dependencies of resonance shifts and intensities on the radiofrequency field amplitude for various polarizations of the RF field have been studied. The case of pumping with two independent RF generators has also been analysed. A general theory for multiquarium optically detected ESR spectra of radicalion pairs in liquid solutions has been developed, with spin relaxation processes being neglected. The theory has been applied to calculating multiquantum resonance parameters in transverse RF fi...

Composite pulses without phase distortion

Composite pulses for broadband spin excitation over large ranges of radiofrequency field amplitudes and resonance offsets are presented. They are derived according to a previously presented method based on the Magnus expansion in the manner of coherent averaging theory. It is shown theoretically and in simulations that these composite pulses do not introduce a strong dependence of the NMR signal phase on the rf amplitude or resonance offset, overcoming a common problem of composite pulses derived by other means. Experimental demonstrations include the use of composite π pulses for refocusing transverse magnetization in spin-echo sequences and the use of composite π 2 pulses in a simple multiple-pulse experiment. Further applications are discussed.

Ion-acoustic waves in large radio-frequency electric fields

The propagation of ion-acoustic waves in high frequency fields is experimentally studied. The resulting phase-velocity decrease and enhanced damping are observed for radio-frequency field amplitudes up to αe≃0.5, where αe=eE/(meωovc) is the normalized amplitude. Good agreement with the theory is found.