Radiation damping at clinical field strength: Characterization and compensation in quantitative measurements

In any MR experiment, the bulk magnetization acts on itself, caused by the induced current in the RF receiver circuit that generates an oscillating damping field. This effect, known as "radiation damping" (RD), is usually weak and, therefore, unconsidered in MRI, but can affect quantitative studies performed with dedicated coils that provide a high SNR. The current work examined RD in a setup for investigations of small tissue specimens including a quantitative characterization of the spin-coil system.

A custom-made Helmholtz coil (radius and spacing 16 mm) was interfaced to a transmit-receive (Tx/Rx) switch with integrated passive feedback for modulation or suppression of RD similar to preamplifier decoupling. Pulse sequences included pulse-width arrays to demonstrate the absence/ presence of RD and difference techniques employing gradient pulses or composite RF pulses to quantify RD effects during free precession and transmission, respectively. Experiments were performed at 3T in small samples of MnCl₂ solution.

Significant RD effects may impact RF pulse application and evolution periods. Effective damping time constants were comparable to typical T₂ * times or echo spacings in multi-echo sequences. Measurements of the phase relation showed that deviations from the commonly assumed 90° angle between the damping field and the transverse magnetization may occur.

Radiation damping may affect the accuracy of quantitative MR measurements performed with dedicated RF coils. Efficient mitigation can be achieved hardware-based or by appropriate consideration in the pulse sequence.