Unilateral MRI using a rastered projection

Unilateral magnetic resonance techniques, where magnet and radio frequency (RF) coil are placed on one side of the sample, can provide valuable information about a sample which otherwise cannot be accommodated in conventional high spectral resolution magnetic resonance systems. A unilateral magnetic resonance imaging approach utilizing the stray field from a disc magnet and a butterfly geometry RF coil is described. The coil excites spins in a volume centered around an arc through the sample. Translating the RF coil relative to the magnet and recording the signal at each translational location creates a projection of the signal in a tomographic slice through the sample. Rotating the RF coil relative to the sample and repeating the translation creates projections through the sample at different angles. Backprojecting this information yields an image. A proof of concept device operating on this principle at 12.4 MHz was constructed and characterized. Projections through three phantoms are presented with a 1.2-4 cm field of view, thickness of 102 microm, and at a distance of 3mm from the RF coil and 14 mm from the magnet. The edge spread function (ESF) was measured resulting in a 4mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) line spread function (LSF) estimation using a Gaussian model. An example of one reconstructed image is presented.     

The rapid and automatic combination of proton MRSI data using multi-channel coils without water suppression

The use of multi-channel coils can efficiently increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of magnetic resonance spectroscopy data if the signals from multiple channels are optimally combined. Combining multi-channel signals requires proper alignment of the phases of the signals from each of the elements of the coil and then accurately weighting the summation of those signals. We present a procedure for acquiring proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) data using an eight-channel coil without water suppression and a rapid and robust method that uses unsuppressed water signal as a reference both for aligning the phases and for weighting the summation of signals that originate in the multiple coil elements. We use both computer simulation and in vivo proton MRSI data to demonstrate the advantages of our method for optimizing the SNR of the combined signal compared with the SNRs of signals that were acquired either using a standard volume head coil or using an eight-channel coil with a metabolite signal as the reference for combination.     

Governing conditions of repeatable Barkhausen noise response

The paper is devoted to the establishment of experimental conditions, which ensure the repeatability of magnetic Barkhausen noise testing in practice. For this task, the measurements were performed on open flat samples using different experimental configurations, including: different magnetization frequencies, sampling rates, and filter cut-off frequencies; using a sample-wrapped coil and using attached pick-up coils of various dimensions, with different lift-offs of a single yoke magnet and of the attached coil. The sample magnetization was controlled by a vertical array of three Hall sensors; their readings were extrapolated to the sample surface to precisely define its field. After analysis of the results, a scheme for an optimized sensor with a controlled field waveform was suggested to improve the measurement repeatability. The important issues of signal processing and parameter applicability were also discussed in detail.     

Advanced theory of driven birdcage resonator with losses for biomedical magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy

A complete time-dependent physics theory of symmetric unperturbed driven hybrid birdcage resonator was developed for general application. In particular, the theory can be applied for radiofrequency (RF) coil engineering, computer simulations of coil-sample interaction, etc. Explicit time dependence is evaluated for different forms of driving voltage. The major steps of the solution development are shown and appropriate explanations are given. Green's functions and spectral density formula were developed for any form of periodic driving voltage. The concept of distributed power losses based on transmission line theory is developed for evaluation of local losses of a coil. Three major types of power losses are estimated as equivalent series resistances in the circuit of the birdcage resonator. Values of generated resistances in legs and end-rings are estimated. An application of the theory is shown for many practical cases. Experimental curve of B₁ field polarization dependence is measured for eight-sections birdcage coil. It was shown that the steady-state driven resonance frequencies do not depend on damping factor unlike the free oscillation (transient) frequencies. An equivalent active resistance is generated due to interaction of RF electromagnetic field with a sample. Resistance of the conductor (enhanced by skin effect), Eddy currents and dielectric losses are the major types of losses which contribute to the values of generated resistances. A biomedical sample for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy is the source of the both Eddy current and dielectric losses of a coil. As demonstrated by the theory, Eddy current loss is the major effect of coil shielding.     

Miniature array postdetection-encoded MRI

A method for performing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements simultaneously from more than a single radiofrequency (RF) coil is presented. The method employs the detection of magnetic resonance signals in an array of detectors, where each detector is responsible for detecting a unique frequency bandwidth or a magnetic resonance signal from a unique location in a region in a primary, substantially homogeneous, static magnetic field. The detectors may be separated logically into groups, whereby all the detectors in a given group are essentially RF-decoupled from each other to substantially eliminate cross-talk by switching circuits or by being placed from each other sufficiently remotely. Sampling of detected signals from detectors in this array is done simultaneously over groups of noninteracting detectors. The detected signals from all detectors in a given group are simultaneously transmitted to a single preamplifier, thus increasing significantly the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in that preamplifier. Prior to transmitting each detected NMR signal of each detector to the preamplifier, each detected signal is separately and uniquely encoded electronically. This provides a method whereby the signal of each detector is uniquely encoded. Accumulating all these encoded signals, which were simultaneously received in a number of RF detectors into a single amplifier, results in the total signal having a high SNR ratio. This total amplified signal is later decoded into each detector's original signal by a decoding circuitry. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques may be thereafter applied to obtain an image. Or else, conventional NMR techniques may be thereafter applied to obtain an improved SNR from a sample, using a single preamplifier with a multitude of detectors. Applying this method to a large number of miniature and closely packed RF detectors placed in an array-like configuration results in an MRI technique with a very fast acquisition time, an increased SNR and a high spatial resolution equivalent to the number of detectors per unit of length. Deblurring and decoupling algorithms allow for images from layers as deep as 6 mm to be acquired.     

Traditional,Barkhausen and MAT Magnetic Response to Plastic Deformation of Low-Carbon Steel

Magnetic traditional and adaptive methods as well as Barkhausen noise analysis were used for the testing of material degradation of plastically deformed high quality low-carbon steel. The dependences of the measured magnetic (coercive field, maximum permeability, optimum adapted permeability) and Barkhausen noise (RMS voltage, power spectrum) parameters are understood in terms of the increased dislocation density. The results are discussed in the context of potential application of magnetic testing methods for the indication of plastic deformation levels of ferromagnetic construction steel products.     

Magnetic resonance of intrinsic defects in the spin-Peierls magnet CuGeO3

Magnetic resonance in pure single-crystal CuGeO₃ at frequencies 9–75 GHz in the temperature range 1.2–25 K is investigated. Splitting of the magnetic-resonance line into several spectral components is observed at temperatures below 5 K, where spin-Peierls dimerization suppresses the magnetic susceptibility and the ESR signal intensity. Analysis of the magnetic resonance spectra over a wide frequency range with different directions of the magnetic field at different temperatures makes it possible to identify among these components the ESR signals due to defects, having effective spin S=1/2 and spin S=1, in the spin-Peierls phase. The g factor corresponding to these ESR signals is the same and close to the value characteristic for the ion Cu²⁺. Another magnetic-resonance line is characterized by a strongly anisotropic g factor and an increase (at a threshold in the excitation power) in the susceptibility both at resonance and in the line wings. These signals are tentatively attributed to two possible types of planar defects arising on the walls of domains of the spin-Peierls state with different values of the dimerization phase. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 114, 1876–1896 (November 1998)     

Multi-objective optimization of gradient coil for benchtop magnetic resonance imaging system with high-resolution

Significant high magnetic gradient field strength is essential to obtaining high-resolution images in a benchtop mag- netic resonance imaging （BT-MRI） system with permanent magnet. Extending minimum wire spacing and maximum wire width of gradient coils is one of the key solutions to minimize the maximum current density so as to reduce the local heating and generate higher magnetic field gradient strength. However, maximum current density is hard to optimize together with field linearity, stored magnetic energy, and power dissipation by the traditional target field method. In this paper, a new multi-objective method is proposed to optimize the maximum current density, field linearity, stored magnetic energy, and power dissipation in MRI gradient coils. The simulation and experimental results show that the minimum wire spacings are improved by 159% and 62% for the transverse and longitudinal gradient coil respectively. The maximum wire width increases from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. Maximum gradient field strengths of 157 mT/m and 405 mT/m for transverse and lon- gitudinal coil are achieved, respectively. The experimental results in BT-MRI instrument demonstrate that the MRI images with in-plane resolution of 50 ~tm can be obtained by using the designed coils.     

Effects of signal spectrum varying on signal processing by parameter-induced stochastic resonance

The effects of signal spectrum varying on signal processing by the method of parameter-induced stochastic resonance (PSR) are investigated. For a binary signal with a smooth power spectral density (PSD), when the PSD curve becomes sharper and narrower, the performance of the nonlinear system via PSR is better. For a multi-frequency signal formed by sine waves with different frequencies, the larger the signal spectral density is, the lower the ability of the PSR system processing signal is. And the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain of the PSR system is increased with the increasing height of the spectral line. Moreover, with the method of PSR, the stochastic signal (the combination of sine waves and noise) improvement is obvious. The results obtained via this method are superior to those with a linear filter.     

高通鸟笼线圈激发螺旋波等离子体特性研究

研制了高通鸟笼线圈,使用氩气作为工质气体对射频天线的工作性能进行了初步评估。利用COMSOL5.4模拟出了鸟笼天线在13.56MHz的工作频率下,电场和磁场呈线性极化分布。对鸟笼线圈进行了电路结构解剖,推导出了其谐振频率计算公式。利用热耦合红外测温仪测试了正常工作状态下的鸟笼线圈外表温度明显低于传统射频天线,电容器最高温度仅65.8°。使用光谱仪对螺旋波等离子体放电光谱特性进行诊断。通过朗缪尔探针诊断了不同压强和磁场强度下螺旋波等离子体密度,在1.0Pa、600Gs、射频功率700W条件下等离子体密度达到1.62×10¹⁸m^-3。诊断了正向功率和反向功率对应的等离子体密度,其与磁滞现象变化趋势雷同。测试了螺旋波等离子体的径向密度分布,其在轴心处密度达到最高。探究了无磁场条件下等离子体特性,其密度值不会发生大幅度跃迁,纵向磁场是引发螺旋波等离子体放电的关键因素,低压条件下有利于得到更低的电子温度,最低达到2.67eV。表明鸟笼线圈低热耗、高馈入的特性使其在激发大体积的高密度螺旋波等离子体方面具有明显优势,可以投入到下一阶段氢气螺旋波等离子体的激...     

Induction of a radio-optical dark resonance for a four-level models of alkaline atoms with optical pumping

The phenomenon of coherent population trapping for a four-level model of alkaline atoms with optical pumping by nonresonant light is analytically investigated. Expressions for experimentally observed signals are derived for different variants of induced magnetodipole transitions in the hyperfine structure of the ground state of atoms within the density matrix formalism. No light-induced frequency shift of the signal of radio-optical resonance is observed irrespective of the radio field amplitude and optical and thermal relaxation rates. It is demonstrated that with the use of modulation technique of phase detection of experimentally observed signal, its discrimination power reaches a maximum under conditions of simultaneous modulation of the pumping light intensity and radio-field frequency, which in principle is not observed in the classical two-level model of optically oriented atoms in the magnetic resonance. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 8, pp. 12–16, August, 2006.     

Low-Field MR Coils: Comparison between Strip and Wire Conductors

This work describes how the cross-sectional shape of radio-frequency coil conductors affects coils performance. This is of particular importance at low Larmor frequencies such as those of low-field magnetic resonance imaging systems where conductor and capacitor losses are the dominant power dissipation mechanisms. We demonstrate that conductors having a circular cross section allow the coil to achieve significantly better performance than the one built using flat strips. The change in coil quality factor due to conductor geometry was verified to be due only to changes in the conductors’ resistance and not their inductance. The results are not limited to low-field proton imaging but they are equally applicable to other situations where the Larmor frequency is in the megahertz range, including nuclear magnetic resonance of other nuclear species at intermediate fields.     

微型计算机在微弱光谱测试系统中的应用

本文报道了在我们研制的微弱光谱测试系统中微计算机的应用,介绍了数据采集、双机间的DMA传送数据、二维光栅扫描控制、应用微机改善信噪比、应用软件和图形显示等问题。着重讨论如何通过我们所做的研制工作,使性能较低的EG3003微计算机达到OMA系统所要求的水平。     

铁磁共振实验中值得注意的几个问题

与顺磁样品相比铁磁样品的磁共振信号不仅是强得多,铁磁样品的许多特点都会在铁磁共振(FMR)谱中反映出来.诸如,起始磁化过程的FMR谱线与有剩余磁化强度Mr的FMR谱是不同的,起始磁化过程中的巴克豪森跳跃也会在FMR谱中反映出来.样品的磁晶各向异性、形状各向异性,铁磁高温顺磁的磁性相变等等都能用FMR方法加以研究.     

非线性调频信号激励下非线性系统的最优共振响应

非线性调频(NLFM)信号在雷达、通信、信号处理中应用广泛,该类信号所激励下的非线性系统响应有着丰富的信息,通过共振来增强NLFM信号具有一定实际意义与价值.本文主要研究了受到不同类型NLFM信号所激励的非线性系统共振现象,提出了实时尺度变换方法来处理高频NLFM信号,克服人为选择造成信号输出响应较差的缺点.同时,提出实时谱放大因子作为共振评价指标,准确评价NLFM信号激励下的系统共振响应,讨论系统参数对系统最优共振响应的影响,参数选择在合理的区间内即可实现最优共振响应,不仅实现信号特征的大幅增强,还保持信号时频特征的连续性.最后,将实时尺度变换方法和固定尺度变换方法进行对比,说明所提方法处理NLFM信号的优越性.     

Spectroscopic imaging of the brain with phased-array coils at 3.0 T

The goal of this study was to develop and evaluate high-resolution magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) utilizing the gains in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) provided by combining higher magnetic field with high-sensitivity phased-array (PA) coils. We investigated the maximum improvement in spatial resolution as small as 0.09 cm(3) for brain MRSI while maintaining adequate SNR and acquisition time. The use of low peak power, dual-band spectral-spatial pulses was also investigated for application to 3 T MRSI of the brain using the body coil for radiofrequency excitation and PA coils for signal reception.     

电力系统动模实验用50kJ高温超导储能磁体的设计研究

介绍了 2 0 K下对电力系统动模实验用 5 0 k J高温超导储能磁体的设计步骤 ,给出了用 Bi- 2 2 2 3单根超导带进行5 0 k J磁体线圈的设计和优化结果 ,分析了高温超导体的各向异性对磁体临界电流的影响和磁体漏磁的分布 ,并讨论了用单根高温超导带组成的超导体和用多根高温超导带组成的超导体设计的储能磁体的特性参数对改善电力系统动态特性的能力的影响。     

Compensation of gradient-induced magnetic field perturbations

Pulsed magnetic field gradients are essential for MR imaging and localized spectroscopy applications. However, besides the desired linear field gradients, pulsed currents in a strong external magnetic field also generate unwanted effects like eddy currents, gradient coil vibrations and acoustic noise. While the temporal magnetic field perturbations associated with eddy currents lead to spectral line shape distortions and signal loss, the vibration-related modulations lead to anti-symmetrical sidebands of any large signal (i.e. water), thereby obliterating the signals from low-concentration metabolites. Here the measurement, characterization and compensation of vibration-related magnetic field perturbations is presented. Following a quantitative evaluation of the various temporal components of the main magnetic field, a digital B0 magnetic field waveform is generated which reduces all temporal variations of the main magnetic field to within the spectral noise level.     

Spectral density of Barkhusen noise in FINEMET-type materials

Barkhausen noise experiments, performed on different, heat treated FINEMET-type (Fe75Si15NbCu) ribbons, are discussed. The spectral density of the noise, measured under a constant magnetization rate, exhibits a definite change with the nanostructure of the ribbons. Thus mechanical sensitivities (δ) were compared with the Fourier spectra of the samples. It is found that the high and low frequency portions of the spectral density of the noise display a definite correlation with δ. This is similar to the one observed between the full dissipated Barkhausen noise energy of one exciting cycle and the mechanical sensitivity in our previous paper. Our results indicate that the investigation of the spectral density provides a rationale for non-destructive testing during industrial preparation of FINEMET-type materials.     

Magnetic Barkhausen emission in lightly deformed AISI 1070 steel

The Magnetic Barkhausen Noise (MBN) technique can evaluate both micro- and macro-residual stresses, and provides indication about the relevance of contribution of these different stress components. MBN measurements were performed in AISI 1070 steel sheet samples, where different strains were applied. The Barkhausen emission is also analyzed when two different sheets, deformed and non-deformed, are evaluated together. This study is useful to understand the effect of a deformed region near the surface on MBN. The low permeability of the deformed region affects MBN, and if the deformed region is below the surface the magnetic Barkhausen signal increases.