NMR BE3MIM

Week 10 Tutorial
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
1) For a hydrogen nucleus:
a. Derive the energy required to transition from spin up to spin down

𝐸𝐸 = 𝛾𝛾ℏ𝐵𝐵0

This is because -m is respectively -0.5 and 0.5. E = -0.5x and E = 0.5x, so 0.5- - 0.5
= 1.

b. What is the energy impact (in terms of the spin up – spin down transition) of
using a 1.5 Tesla magnetic field instead of a 3 Tesla field?

Magnetic field is halved therefore the energy required is halved. Lower field
strength means less energy required to switch spin states.

c. Given that the Gyromagnetic ratio (𝛾𝛾/2𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝)(MHz/T) is 42.57 for a 3T system,

calculate the energy required from your derivation.

𝐸𝐸 = 𝛾𝛾ℏ𝐵𝐵0

Where we can alternatively state:

E = plancks constant * B0 * Gyro. ratio (𝛾𝛾) * 2 * pi

Therefore:
E = 42.57e6 * 6.626e-34 * 3 * 2 * pi
E = 5.32e-25 J

Answers given in eV are also accepted as the most appropriate unit (but
requiring an additional conversion).

d. The temperature in a region of interest increases from 20 to 40 degrees.

What impact will this have on the distribution of spin states for a 3T system?

Nupper/Nlower =e-(deltaE/kT)
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k = 1.381e-23 (Boltzmann constant)

deltaE = 8.462e-26 J
T = 20 and 40 respectively

Const = DeltaE/k = 612.744 e-3 = 0.613

Power1 (i.e. e to the power of power1) = -0.03065
Power2 = -0.01533

Ratio1 = 0.9698
Ratio2 = 0.9848

Proportion in lower state1 AKA lower energy state AKA spin UP =

Nupper/0.9698 = 1.031 = 103.1% of the spins in the upper state

Proportion in lower state2 = Nupper/0.9848 = 1.015 = 101.5% of the

spins in the upper state

For every 1000 spins in the upper state, there are 31 more in the
lower state @ 20 degrees, but only 15 more @ 40 degrees. The
warmer the temperature of the target, the less inherently sensitive
MRI will become (as the number of useful spins decreases).

e. Calculate the rate of precession for the 3T system

𝜔𝜔0 = 𝛾𝛾𝐵𝐵0
W0 = 42.57e6 * 2 * pi * 3 = 802.4 mega radians per second (802.4e6).

2) Define free induction decay.

As the magnetisation vector moves away from longitudinal magnetisation (the Z

axis) it precesses as defined by the gyromagnetic ratio and the strength of the
magnetic field.

The precession causes a sinusoidal induced current to be generated in nearby coils.

As the magnetisation vector relaxes following the end of the RF pulse, the transverse
magnetisation weakens causing decreasing amplitude in the induced current until it
disappears completely.

3) How can an inversion pulse correct for T2’ dephasing?

T2’ dephasing considers inhomogenities in the magnetic field that cause some
particles to precess above or below the Larmor frequency in a given tissue. After
NMR BE3MIM

applying an initial RF pulse of 90 degrees, an inversion pulse is applied after some

period of time, applying the magnetic field changes but inversed and therefore
cancelling out the inhomogenities, bringing all precession back to the Larmor
frequency.

4) Explain the link between frequency and tissue type, then compare this with
frequency encoding.
The Larmor frequency varies based on tissue type. By performing a Fourier transform
we can observe the different frequency components and determine the tissues in
the region of interest.
Frequency encoding is the principle of using a magnetic field gradient that will result
in a range of resonant frequencies based on the strength of the magnetic field (both
precession and Larmor frequency calculations are dependent on the applied
magnetic field). This results in different frequency bands occurring for different
sections of the target.
We can relate the frequency to the region in question and observe any difference
from that initial frequency which will communicate the tissue type in that region of
interest.
There will therefore be an overall difference in frequency distinguishing the region of
interest (frequency encoding), plus another small change in frequency that
distinguishes one tissue type from another (frequency-tissue type link).

5) For a conventional axial scan, identify which physical gradient axis (X, Y, or Z)
typically serves as the slice-selection gradient, and explain how you would change
the slice orientation (e.g., from axial to sagittal) using the three gradient coils.

Applying a magnetic field gradient along (for example) the Z-axis makes the total field
slightly stronger at some Z positions and weaker at others, so the Larmor frequency varies
linearly with position along that axis. A frequency-selective RF pulse is then applied with a
limited bandwidth that only matches the Larmor frequencies within a narrow range of
positions, so only spins in that Z-range are tipped into the transverse plane and excited,
forming a single slice

6) Explain how applying a magnetic field gradient along the Z-axis creates different
Larmor frequencies at different positions, and describe how a frequency-selective RF
pulse then excites only one slice.

In a conventional axial brain scan, the Z-gradient is usually used as the slice-selection
gradient, so slices are stacked head-to-foot. To change orientation, the system reassigns
which physical gradient (X, Y, or Z) performs slice selection: using the X-gradient as the
NMR BE3MIM

slice-select gradient gives sagittal slices, using the Y-gradient gives coronal slices, and
arbitrary oblique planes are obtained by combining gradients along more than one axis.

7) Describe the field profile and activation sequence for one of three axes

Freq – Gradient to differentiate by area, creating a variable rate of precession.

Activates and stays active during acquisition.

Phase – Gradient from min to max. Activates to offset the phase then de-activates
before signal acquisition.

Slice thickness - Gaussian profile that stays active at all times to highlight a single
slice.