Synopsis

Keywords: Physics & Engineering: Physics

Magnetic resonance (MR) is a phenomenon observed in nuclei that possess nonzero spins (i.e., nuclei with both magnetic moment and angular momentum). These nuclei can be found naturally in the human body (e.g., ¹H, ¹³C, ²³Na, and ³¹P) or introduced as an exogenous agent (e.g., ³He and ¹²⁹Xe). This lecture will use both quantum mechanical and classical approaches to describe how nuclear spins, through interactions with static and radiofrequency magnetic fields, generate bulk magnetizations and electrical signals. Several MR concepts, such as the Larmor equation and Bloch equations, will also be introduced to pave the way for the subsequent lectures.