Classical and lateral skin effect contributions estimation in strip MR coils

Radiofrequency (RF) transmitter and receiver coils in magnetic resonance imaging systems are used, respectively, to excite the nuclei in the object to be imaged and to pick up the signals emitted by the nuclei. The quality of obtained images strongly depends upon the correct choice of the coils geometry and typology. For low-field magnetic resonance imaging systems, the dominant power dissipation mechanisms are mainly due to conductor losses and the coils performance are affected by cross-sectional shape of RF coil conductors. This work proposes a method for the estimation of the different skin effects contribution to the total conductor resistance for coil built using strip conductor. The evaluation of coil resistance was performed at different tuning frequencies usually used in clinical scanner (21-128 MHz). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.