Counteracting RF Inhomogeneity on the Upper Legs at 3T Using Strongly Modulating Pulses

Nicolas Boulant¹, Alexandre Vignaud², Pierre G. Carlier³

Strongly modulating pulses have been used to homogenize the flip angle on upper legs at 3 T. The muscle and fat tissues were discriminated in the pulse design algorithm via their resonance frequencies to achieve different flip angles. By implementing a double Ernst angle, we demonstrate a higher signal to noise ratio for both tissues (on average) in addition to a better signal uniformity in spoiled gradient echo experiments. Measurements of the flip angle using the AFI sequence are also reported.