Maximizing signal-to-noise ratio in the presence of coil coupling.

Crosstalk due to coupling produces noise correlation between receiver coils. It has been stated that this correlation reduces the signal-to-noise ratio obtainable from combining signals from the coils. In this paper, it is shown that the effects of crosstalk on the signal-to-noise ratio may in theory be eliminated by properly combining signals. Equations are derived which show how the signals from two coils should be combined in the presence of crosstalk in order to obtain the same signal-to-noise ratio as in an ideal case of no crosstalk. The deviation from optimum signal-to-noise ratio due to imperfect circuits and amplifiers is discussed. An experimental technique for achieving the proper combination of signals is presented.

Double resonant quadrature birdcage.

The combined acquisition of proton images and localized spectra is considered essential to the application of NMR techniques to human and animal research. The ideal imaging/spectroscopy coil for our purposes would be one that provides the highest possible signal-to-noise, high homogeneity, and operation on two or more frequencies without retuning requirements or cable changes. To address these needs we have developed a quadrature double-tuned birdcage. We have incorporated our earlier work on the transformer coupled double-tuned surface coil into the birdcage structure by placing two birdcages in a coaxial configuration. This structure resonates at 34.6 MHz (phosphorus resonance at 2.0 T) and 85.5 MHz (proton resonance at 2.0 T). The quadrature performance of this coil for phosphorus was excellent, with a signal-to-noise that was 133% of our linear reference. The proton performance was less efficient, with a signal to noise that was 67% of our linear reference, but still quite sufficient for imaging. A phosphorus spectra and proton image of a rat abdomen are shown.

A comparison of double-tuned surface coils.

The combined acquisition of proton images and localized spectra is considered essential to the practical application of NMR techniques to human and animal research. Double-tuned surface coils which have been introduced to the literature are intended to address the problem; however, a careful evaluation of available designs is lacking. The "trap" method, the loop gap resonator design, and the transformer-coupled double-tuned design are evaluated here using bench tests of signal intensity and Q as well as signal-to-noise measurements on a 2-T imager/spectrometer. Comparisons are made relative to optimized single-tuned circuits of the same size for both protons at 85 MHz and phosphorus at 34 MHz. The results suggest that the "trap" design and the transformer coupled design are very efficient (98%) in the low-frequency mode (34 MHz) while the loop gap resonator is relatively inefficient (82%). In the high-frequency mode (85 MHz) the loop gap resonator is 75% efficient while the "trap" design and the transformer coupled coil are closer to 50% efficient.

Radon progeny as sources of gross-alpha radioactivity anomalies in ground water.

Gross-alpha radiation data from ground water samples are subject to variability introduced as a result of analytical procedure. For example, ground water in the surficial aquifer of central Florida commonly has gross-alpha radioactivity in excess of 555 Bq m-3 (15 pCi L-1). This activity, commonly unsupported by Ra, often results from the 222Rn progeny. The relatively short-lived daughters of 222Rn can give rise to variations in gross-alpha measurements of up to 2 orders of magnitude in replicate samples. Polonium-210, a longer-lived Rn daughter, is also found in concentrations greater than predicted by the Ra content. As a consequence, it is suggested that gross-alpha measurements include Po analyses with Ra and U when standards are exceeded. It should be recognized that, depending on the activity of 210Pb, 210Po activity may vary significantly with holding time. Variations of measured Po activity in replicate samples collected and prepared by present methods indicate that Po analyses may be inconsistent and frequently underestimate total Po activity. Sample preparation methods and measurement techniques are discussed which greatly improve the overall accuracy and consistency of gross-alpha and Po analyses.

Selective Fourier transform localization.

We have introduced the selective Fourier transform technique for spectral localization. This technique allows the acquisition of a high-resolution spectrum from a selectable location with control over the shape and size of the spatial response function. The shape and size of the spatial response are defined during data acquisition and the location is selectable through processing after the data acquisition is complete. The technique uses pulsed-field-gradient phase encoding to define the spatial coordinates. In this paper the theoretical basis of the selective Fourier transform technique is developed and experimental results are presented, including comparisons of spectral localization using either the selective Fourier transform method or conventional multidimensional Fourier transform chemical-shift imaging.

A transformer-coupled double-resonant probe for NMR imaging and spectroscopy.

A new type of double-resonant coil which takes advantage of the properties of a radio-frequency transformer is described. Two concentric loops are wound in close proximity to yield a high mutual inductance. The primary side is tuned to 34 MHz for 31P and the secondary side is tuned to 85 MHz for protons. A single lead allows program control over frequency without the need to rearrange cabling. Proton and phosphorus spectroscopy are made possible over essentially the same volume of interest without the need for repositioning the sample.