9/9/2014

1
RF Coils for MRI
(VERY BASIC) THEORY AND (A FEW) PRACTICAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Outline
RF Coil Theory
Model of an RF coil & Impedance
Resonance
Q
Matching
Practical Considerations - Measurements
Matching and Tuning
S
11
Smith Chart
Measuring Q
S
21
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When you input a magnetic field, B
1
, at the Larmor frequency
(an RF field generated by an RF coil ), you can tip the
magnetization vector into the x-y plane, or transverse plane
Turn off the transmitter: The magnetization continues to precess at
the Larmor frequency in the transverse plane and this moving
magnetic field can be detected by a pickup coil.
Transverse magnetization can be detected
D =90
o
Longitudinal magnetization is not detected
with the RF coil
RF excitation getting a detectable signal
A note on the Rotating Frame
A frame of reference that is
rotating at the Larmor
frequency. i.e. x and y axes
are rotating at f
0
and z=z.
Rotating frame
RF Coils
THEORY
In MRI and MRS, a radiofrequency (RF) coil, or resonator, is
designed to produce and/or detect a time-varying
magnetic flux density, , at the Larmor frequency for our
main field strength, f
0
= B
0
Produce: Current in the coil produces . The
magnetization vector undergoes forced precession about
the transmitted in order to create a detectable
transverse component
Detect: As the magnetization vector precesses in the
transverse plane, it creates a time-varying magnetic field
which induces a current in the coil according to Faradays
Law of Induction, presenting a voltage at the terminals of
the coil.
1
B

1
B

1
B

RECIPROCITY
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Any RF coil produces magnetic flux in proportion to
the current
Biot-Savart Law
Energy is stored in the magnetic flux, obtained by
integrating B
1
over all space
Inductance, L, is the ratio of the total stored energy
to the current squared
We model an RF coil as an inductor able to store energy in
its magnetic field created by the current running through it
RF Coils
THEORY
: Inductance, L
dv B W
I
W
L
v
m
m
2
1 2
1
2
1
here w
2
}}}
= =

Inductance, L, and capacitance, C, describe a components

ability to store energy
Resistance, R, describes the energy dissipated in a
component
The opposition the inductance presents to a change of current
is called inductive reactance, X
L
The total impedance of the inductor contains a resistive
component
The opposition capacitance presents to a change of current is
called capacitive reactance, X
c
The total impedance of the capacitor contains a resistive
component
Notes on impedance:
L X
L
e =
L L L
jX R Z + =
C
X
C
e
1
=
C C C
jX R Z + =
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We want max current able to flow in our coil in order to
Generate the max B
1
during transmit
Have the max current (I
coil
) induced during receive
RF Coils
THEORY
: Resonance
Max current => need minimum impedance [to flow of I
coil
]
(purely real input impedance) (RESONANCE)
=> need to cancel the inductive reactance of the coil
Resonate a coil by adding a capacitor with value such that X
C
=-X
L
L
coil
I
coil
R
coil
L
coil
I
coil,R C
R
R
coil,tot
Impedance presented to I
coil
:
Z
coil
= R
L
+jX
L
= R
coil
+ jX
L,coil
Z
coil,R
= R
L
+R
C
+jX
L
+jX
C
= R
coil,tot
+ jX
L
- jX
L
=R
coil,tot
Add a known capacitor
L
coil
is set
=> Coil will resonate at f
res
where X
c
=-X
L
i.e. -1/C = - L
RF Coils
THEORY
: Resonance
f
res
I
c
o
i
l
freq
In practice, use a tunable capacitor to control the resonance frequency
Implications (how
can we
~calculate C
R
?)
L f
C
C f
L
LC
f
res
R
res
coil
res
2
2
) 2 (
1
) 2 (
1
2
1
t
t
t
=
=
=
L
coil
I
coil C
R
R
coil,tot
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Q: quality factor
Higher Q indicates resistive losses are low and
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) is high
RF Coils
THEORY
: Resonance & Coil Q
R
L
Q
e
=
Q SNR
1
~
R
B
SNR
R I
L I
cycle per lost energy
inductor in stored energy
Q
2
2
2
1
2
2
e
t
t
t

=

=
More intuitive form more easily visualized:
f
res
I
c
o
i
l
0.707
f
3dB
dB
res
f
f
Q
3
A
=
RF Coils
THEORY
: Resonance & Coil Q
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We have to get energy in and out of the coil: it
needs to be connected to the amplifier and/or
preamp.
Usually the transmitter and receivers are 50
systems, so we want to impedance match
the resonated coil to Z = 50 + j0 Ohms.
RF Coils
THEORY
: Matching
L
coil
I
coil
C
R
R
coil,tot
Z
IN
Matching
Network
There are many options for the matching network. The simplest is to make C
R
variable and use it as part of the matching network.
*i.e. What was C
R
is now variable, and called C
1
, the tuning capacitor
Two elements are required to match R
coil
+jX
coil
to 50 + j0.
The first element, C
1
, the tuning cap, transforms R
coil
to 50 ohms.
The second element, C
2
, the matching cap, cancels the remaining reactance
Note: C
1
is typically very close to C
R
, which should be within the range of the variable capacitor C
1
.
RF Coils
THEORY
: Matching
I
coil
Matching
Network
C
1
C
2
L
coil
R
coil,tot
Z
2
=Z
in
= 50+j0 Z
1
= 50+jX Z
coil
= R
coil
+jX
coil
C
1
In practice
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There are many options for the matching network. The simplest is to make C
R
variable and
use it as part of the matching network.
Two elements are required to match R
coil
+jX
coil
to 50 + j0.
The first element, C
1
, the tuning cap, transforms R
coil
to 50 ohms.
The second element, C
2
, the matching cap, cancels the remaining reactance
Note: C
1
is typically very close to C
R
, which should be within the range of the variable
capacitor C
1
.
RF Coils
THEORY
: Matching
Impedance curves with C
R
:
Larmor frequency = Resonant frequency
Impedance curves with C
1
:
Larmor frequency Resonant frequency but
R = 50 at Larmor frequency, with remaining reactance
f
0
=f
R
f
0
f
R
but Z=50+jX
In practice, we can determine C
1
and C
2
by:
1) Finding C
R
as above, (see calculations on slide 8)
2) Choosing a suitable variable cap, C
1
, encompassing C
R
3) Finding a suitable C
2
by trial and error- guided by experience
Or, we can mathematically solve for C
1
and C
2
given
the coil impedance
1) Solve for C
1
from 50 = Re{C
1
|| (R
coil
+ jL
coil
)} (analytically [next slide],
graphically, or iteratively)
2) Then, 1/(jC
2
) = -jX, where X is the reactive part of Z
1
after step 1
RF Coils
THEORY
: Matching
I
coil,R
Matching
Network
C
1
C
2
L
coil
R
coil
Z
2
=Z
in
= 50+j0 Z
1
= 50+jX
Note that there are two values of C1 that
result in Re{Z1} = 50. We choose the one
that gives a positive value for X, simply
because we dont like to use inductors in the
matching network. (Why?)
Z
coil
= R
coil
+jX
coil
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Analytical Solution for C
1
(step 1 on previous slide):
RF Coils
THEORY
: Matching
50
1
2
2
4 b b -
C
then algebra...
) ( ) - (1
) - R(1
50
: 50 to equal part real set the 0, R when case for the
then . algebra...
) (
1
1
1
1
) ( 50
2
2 2 2 4
2
2 2 2
2 2
1
R
c
L b
R L a
where
a
ac
CR LC
LCR LC
L j R
C j
L j R X jX Z
C
=
=
+ =

=
+
+
=
=
+
+
=
+ = + =
e
e e
e e
e e
e
e
e
LC
1
,
1 if
1
coil) (lossless 0 R case for the : Note
2
2 1
=
= =

=
=
e
e
e
e
or
LC
LC
L j
Z
Z
1
http://www.fritz.dellsperger.net/
Downloads
Smith V2.03
RF Coils
THEORY
: Matching (& tuning)
9/9/2014
9
Outline
RF Coil Theory
Model of an RF coil & Impedance
Resonating
Q
Matching
Practical Considerations - Measurements
Matching and Tuning
S
11
Smith Chart
Measuring Q
S
21
Practical considerations
These are RF phenomena cannot use voltmeter for
measurements; need NETWORK ANALYZER, or spectrum analyzer
Relevant Network Analyzer measurements
Matching and tuning:
using S
11
and the Smith Chart
Measuring Q: using S
21
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Matching/Tuning: S
11
S
11
: the input port voltage reflection coefficient
S
11
= 20 log () or S
11
= 10 log (P
ref
/P
inc
)
S-Parameter, S
11
Configuration on the NA, single port measurement
Set your marker at your desired resonance frequency. Then --
incident
reflected
V
V
= I
When a coil is matched and tuned,
this point will be minimized on the
network analyzer log mag/phase
display option.
Note S
11
value. Need this to be
-20dB or better
Matching makes the dip deeper
and tuning moves the dip in
frequency
Matching/Tuning: S
11
& the Smith Chart
The Smith Chart provides a graphical aid to visualize
impedances
The Smith Chart display option for the S
11
configuration on
the NA provides a nice visual tool for matching and tuning
When a coil is matched and
tuned, the marker you set at the
resonance frequency will be at
this point on the Smith Chart,
representing Z=50+j0
Matching makes the circle bigger
and smaller. Tuning moves the
marker around the circle.
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Measuring Q: S
21
S
21
: the voltage transmission coefficient
S
21
= 20 log ()
S-Parameter, S
21
Configuration on the NA,
two port measurement
Measuring Q:
Coil RESONATED (not match/tuned)
Connect one pickup loop to port 1 of the NA and
one to port 2
The peak transmission (S
21
in dB) between the
two pickup probes will be at the coil resonance
Recall Q=f
res
/f
3dB
S
21
is a power measurement thus the
bandwidth 3dB down from the peak can be
measured directly from the curve
incident
d transmitte
V
V
= t
Measuring Q: S
21
NETWORK ANALYZER
Port 2
Port 1
S
21
display
Notes:
It is important that
the probes do not
couple to one another
without the device
under test present
Also important that
the probes do not
perturb the resonance
circuit of the device
under test
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VNA 2180 demo
References
http://submissions.mirasmart.co
m/ismrm2013/proceedings/isv7/
main.htm