Comparative study of symmetric and asymmetric cylindrical MRI gradient Y-coils in terms of induced eddy currents

We have recently introduced the concept of whole-body asymmetric MRI systems [1]. In this theoretical study, we investigate the PNS characteristics of whole-body asymmetric gradient systems as compared to conventional symmetric systems. Recent experimental evidence [2] supports the hypothesis of transverse gradients being the largest contributor of PNS due to induced electric currents. Asymmetric head gradient coils have demonstrated benefits in the past [3]. The numerical results are based on an anatomically-accurate 2mm-human voxel-phantom NORMAN [4]. The results of this study can facilitate the optimization of whole-body asymmetric gradients in terms of patient comfort/safety (less PNS), while prospering the use of asymmetric MRI systems for in-vivo medical interventions.

Calculation of line integrals in boundary integral methods

We propose quadrature rules for the approximation of line integrals possessing logarithmic singularities and show their convergence. In some instances a superconvergence rate is demonstrated.

A finite integral transform technique for solving the diffusion-reaction equation with Michaelis-Menten kinetics

An approximate analytical technique employing a finite integral transform is developed to solve the reaction diffusion problem with Michaelis-Menten kinetics in a solid of general shape. A simple infinite series solution for the substrate concentration is obtained as a function of the Thiele modulus, modified Sherwood number, and Michaelis constant. An iteration scheme is developed to bring the approximate solution closer to the exact solution. Comparison with the known exact solutions for slab geometry (quadrature) and numerically exact solutions for spherical geometry (orthogonal collocation) shows excellent agreement for all values of the Thiele modulus and Michaelis constant.

A novel, open access, elliptical cross-section magnet for paediatric MRI

Almost all clinical magnetic resonance imaging systems are based on circular cross-section magnets. Recent advances in elliptical cross-section RF probe and gradient coil hardware raise the question of the possibility of using elliptical cross-section magnet systems, This paper presents a methodology for calculating rapidly the magnetic fields generated by a multi-turn coil of elliptical cross-section and incorporates this in a stochastic optimization method for magnet design, An open magnet system of elliptical cross-section is designed that both reduces the claustrophobia for the patients and allows ready access by attending physicians, The magnet system is optimized for paediatric use, The coil geometry produced by the optimization method has several novel features.

Squeezing-induced complete transparency in two-level systems

The modification of the statistical properties of vacuum fluctuations, via quadrature squeezing, can dramatically reduce the absorptive and dispersive properties of two-level atoms. We show that for some range of parameter values the system exhibits zero absorption accompanied by zero dispersion of the probe field. This complete transparency is attributed to the coherent population oscillations induced by the squeezed vacuum.

A compact superconducting magnet for magnetic resonance microscopy

Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) depends on the use of high field, superconducting magnet systems for its operation. The magnets that are conventionally used are those that were initially designed for chemical structural analysis work. A novel, compact magnet designed specifically for MRM is presented here, and while preserving high field, high homogeneity conditions, has a length less than one-third that of conventional systems. This enables much better access to samples, an important consideration in many MRM experiments. As the homogeneity of a magnet is strongly dependent on its length, novel geometries and optimization techniques are required to meet the requirements of MRM in a compact system. An important outcome of the stochastic optimization performed in this work, is that the use used of a thin superconducting solenoid surrounded by counterwound disk windings provides a mechanism for drastic length reductions over conventional magnet designs. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.

Resonance fluorescence spectrum in a weak squeezed field with an arbitrary bandwidth

We analyze the linewidth narrowing in the fluorescence spectrum of a two-level atom driven by a squeezed vacuum field of a finite bandwidth. It is found that the fluorescence spectrum in a low-intensity squeezed field can exhibit a (omega - omega(0))(-6) frequency dependence in the wings. We show that this fast fall-off behavior is intimately related to the properties of a narrow-bandwidth squeezed field and does not extend into the region of broadband excitation. We apply the Linear response model and find that the narrowing results from a convolution of the atom response with the spectrum of the incident field. On the experimental side, we emphasize that the linewidth narrowing is not sensitive to the solid angle of the squeezed modes coupled to the atom. We also compare the fluorescence spectrum with the quadrature-noise spectrum and find that the fluorescence spectrum for an off-resonance excitation does not reveal the noise spectrum. We show that this difference arises from the competing three-photon scattering processes. [S1050-2947(98)04308-X].

Two-level atom in a squeezed vacuum with finite bandwidth

The resonance fluorescence of a two-level atom driven by a coherent laser field and damped by a finite bandwidth squeezed vacuum is analysed. We extend the Yeoman and Barnett technique to a non-zero detuning of the driving field from the atomic resonance and discuss the role of squeezing bandwidth and the detuning in the level shifts, widths and intensities of the spectral lines. The approach is valid for arbitrary values of the Rabi frequency and detuning but for the squeezing bandwidths larger than the natural linewidth in order to satisfy the Markoff approximation. The narrowing of the spectral lines is interpreted in terms of the quadrature-noise spectrum. We find that, depending on the Rabi frequency, detuning and the squeezing phase, different factors contribute to the line narrowing. For a strong resonant driving field there is no squeezing in the emitted field and the fluorescence spectrum exactly reveals the noise spectrum. In this case the narrowing of the spectral lines arises from the noise reduction in the input squeezed vacuum. For a weak or detuned driving field the fluorescence exhibits a large squeezing and, as a consequence, the spectral lines have narrowed linewidths. Moreover, the fluorescence spectrum can be asymmetric about the central frequency despite the symmetrical distribution of the noise. The asymmetry arises from the absorption of photons by the squeezed vacuum which reduces the spontaneous emission. For an appropriate choice of the detuning some of the spectral lines can vanish despite that there is no population trapping. Again this process can be interpreted as arising from the absorption of photons by the squeezed vacuum. When the absorption is large it may compensate the spontaneous emission resulting in the vanishing of the fluorescence lines.

Spectral linewidth narrowing by a weak squeezed field of an arbitrary bandwidth

We study the spectral and noise properties of the fluorescence field emitted from a two-level atom driven by a beam of squeezed light. For a weak driving field we derive simple analytical formulae for the fluorescence and quadrature-noise spectra which are valid for an arbitrary bandwidth of the squeezed field. We analyse the spectra in the regime where the squeezing bandwidth is smaller or comparable to the atomic linewidth, the area where non-Markovian effects are important. We emphasize that there is a noticable difference between the fluorescence spectra for the thermal and squeezed field excitations. In both cases the spectrum can be narrower than any bandwidth involved in the process. However, as we point out for the squeezed driving field the linewidth narrowing, being much larger than in the thermal-field case, can be attributed to the squeezing of the fluctuations in the driving held. We also calculate the quadrature-noise spectrum of the emitted fluorescence, and find that for a detuned squeezed field the fluorescence spectrum does not reveal the quadrature-noise spectrum. In contrast to the fluorescence spectrum having two peaks, the quadrature-noise spectrum exhibits three peaks. We explain this difference as arising from the competiting three-photon scattering processes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.