Rf coil construction for mri

The radio-frequency (RF) detection coil is a transducer device that excites the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal and then detects it in the magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) measurement. The signal-to-noise (SNR), spatial and temporal resolution, spatial uniformity, and the efficiency with which RF excitation power is used and lost to the measurement sample are all dependent on the RF coil’s performance. Therefore, the success of the MRS measurement is largely determined by the proper choice and application of the RF detection coil. The objective of this article is to educate on the many coil design choices available and to guide the reader toward best options for their respective applications. A comprehensive ‘coil catalog’ is given with references to aid further understanding, building, use, and purchasing sources for these coils.