Abstract
The use of Magnetic Resonance (MR) in medicine involves the interaction of magnetic fields with biological tissue. For magnetic resonance imaging, (MRI), three types of magnetic field are used to generate images. A strong, constant magnetic field. This has the symbol B0 and defines the nominal operating field strength of a particular MRI system. This is measured in units of Tesla, (T) with 1 T equal to approximately 20,000 times the earth’s magnetic field. A gradient magnetic field that can be rapidly switched on and off. This magnetic field has a strength that increases with position along a chosen direction and is measured in units of milliTesla per meter (mT/m). A radiofrequency (RF) magnetic field that oscillates at a characteristic frequency in the MegaHertz range, the exact value of which is determined by the nominal field strength of the main magnet. This is given the symbol B1.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 Springer-Verlag London Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Plein, S., Greenwood, J.P., Ridgway, J.P. (2010). What’s Inside the Magnet and Why?. In: Cardiovascular MR Manual. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-362-6_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-362-6_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-84996-361-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-84996-362-6
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)