Effect of differential saturation on the spatial localization performance of depth pulses

Computer simulations of Depth pulse B (theta; (2 theta [+/- x, +/- y])2; acquire) and other Depth pulses, verified by experimental surface coil NMR studies utilizing phantom samples, reveal that the spatial localization performance of Depth pulses degrades when the repetition time is short relative to T1 because of differential saturation, i.e. T1 discrimination effects. Simulations of Depth pulse A (theta; 2 theta [+/- x, +/- y]; acquire) and Depth pulse B indicate that there is no phase-cycled pulse sequence delivery order which negates the untoward effect of T1 discrimination on spatial localization performance. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of consistent magnetization preparation prior to the delivery of each phase-cycled multiple pulse sequence in a Depth pulse cycle for obtaining optimal spatial localization performance. The untoward effects of inconsistent magnetization preparation, resulting from T1 discrimination, may be ameliorated by the application of many Depth pulse cycles.