Frederic G. Goora1, 2, Hui Han2, Bruce G. Colpitts1, Bruce J. Balcom2
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada; 2MRI Research Centre, Department of Physics, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
The accuracy of applied magnetic field gradients in magnetic resonance imaging directly impacts the corresponding image quality and measurements of molecular motion. These distortions result from the generation of eddy currents within the magnet structure and from distortion of the magnetic field gradient coil excitation current due to gradient current amplifier limitations (such bandwidth and stability) and the reactive gradient coil load which fundamentally limit the minimum excitation current rise and fall times which further distort the applied magnetic field gradient.