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Higher‐order harmonic transmission‐line RF coil design for MR applications
Author(s) -
Zhang Xiaoliang,
Zhu XiaoHong,
Chen Wei
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.20462
Subject(s) - electromagnetic coil , resonator , transmission line , balun , harmonic , microstrip , radio frequency , harmonics , radiofrequency coil , impedance matching , acoustics , line (geometry) , materials science , physics , electrical engineering , nuclear magnetic resonance , optoelectronics , optics , electrical impedance , engineering , voltage , antenna (radio) , geometry , mathematics
A novel concept based on the use of higher‐order harmonic resonances in a transmission‐line resonator is introduced for the design of high‐frequency RF coils at high and ultrahigh fields, where conventional RF coil designs present difficulties and limitations. To demonstrate this concept, we successfully designed and fabricated a 400‐MHz RF coil for rat imaging using a second‐harmonic resonant microstrip transmission line. This coil has a high Q ‐factor, reduces coil–cable interactions without the use of a matching balun, and has a broad range for tuning the coil's resonant frequency at the loaded condition. This work demonstrates that the use of higher‐order harmonics in a transmission‐line resonator provides an alternative, efficient approach to the design of large and high‐frequency RF coils. Magn Reson Med 53:1234–1239, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.