Spin

- Spin is a QM phenomenon present in protons of specific atoms (1H, 13C, 31P) that is of
nonzero magnitude, resulting in a magnetic dipole moment of the proton.
- Without an applied magnetic field, the vectors of these magnetic dipole moments (of an
object) are randomly oriented such that the net sum radially (along all axes) is 0. This creates a
spherical distribution.
- With an applied magnetic field, the vectors of these magnetic dipole moments are mostly of a
spherical distribution but a net magnetization (in direction of the applied magnetic field)
develops over time. Reason: protons of a sample move and, therefore, their magnetic moments
interact and will reorient. This resultant reorientation is perpetual, as the infinitely subsequent
interactions will maintain a spherical proton magnetic vector (the vector component of the
magnetic dipole moment) distribution. However, if an applied magnetic field is present, the
dipole-dipole interaction could result in proton magnetic vectors to reorient and be ‘captured’
in the direction of the magnetic field, which is a discrete and lower energy state (capture state).
Thermal energy (induced by magnetic field) drives molecular collisions (and, therefore, dipole-
dipole interactions) and can cause ‘release’ of a proton from the lower energy state to the now
discrete, higher energy state (non capture state). However, over time a slight excess of
magnetic dipole moments will be aligned in the capture state.
- Application of an applied magnetic field therefore creates a net magnetization vector in
parallel to the direction of B0. (with total scalar is 6/10K protons?)

Precession
- Angular momentum is a QM property intrinsically present in protons.
- Without B0, no precession along the axis of the magnetic dipole moment is observed.
- However, if B0 is present, precession along the axis of the magnetic dipole moment is
observed. The frequency of precession is defined by the Larmor frequency:

𝜔 = 𝛾𝛽
𝜔 = Larmor frequency (Hz)
𝛾 = Gyromagnetic ratio
𝛽 = applied magnetic field

- Contrary to classical physics, there is no physical spin of protons that imparts an angular
momentum and, therefore, a precessional frequency.

Measuring the net magnetization

- Although the sample now has some net magnetization, Mz, its scalar quantity is very small
relative to that of the applied magnetic field. (with total scalar is 6/10K protons?)
- Therefore, within each imaged section of body, it is impractical to measure the scalar of Mz. In
theory, imaged body sections with different proton density will display slight differences in Mz
but this provides limited contrast resolution (due to small differences in Mz between sections)
and no spatial resolution within a slice (cannot determine how much each voxel contributes to
the total Mz observed from the slice).
- However, if Mz were experimentally reoriented along the transverse axis (MT), the scalar
quantity of MT can be practically measured despite its small scalar relative to B0 because B0,
due to its direction, will not contribute to the measured transverse magnetization. How we are
able to measure magnetization is covered later.

Generating MT from Mz
- Figures depicting the MT and Mz of a sample are shown below:

- MT is technically not a reorientation of Mz but rather the result of completely distributing the
longitudinal magnetization component of the protons into the transverse direction.
- In the figure of Mz above, a net longitudinal magnetization component is present because it is
energetically favorable. However, a net transverse magnetization component is not present
because each proton, though precessing at the same frequency, precesses at a different phase.
- Phase describes the offset or difference between periodic motion. In the context of the
magnetic dipole moments of protons, each magnetic dipole precesses along its precessional
axis starting at a different angle, ranging from 0 to 360 degrees. So, although the precessional
trajectory and frequency are the same, the position at which precession begins is different, as
outlined in the Figure below. The phase difference among the protons’ magnetic dipole
moments is maintained over time, as long as the magnetic field strength experienced by the
proton is the same, which prevents increases or decreases in the proton’s Larmor frequency.

- The redistribution of net longitudinal magnetization into net transverse magnetization is

achieved if longitudinal magnetization vector components are of zero sum and transverse
magnetization vector components are of nonzero sum. This happens only when the
precessional phase (around the z axis) is coherent or in-phase. If phase around xy axes
(phasexy) is of nonzero sum, then some extent of phasexy coherence is present and there will
be a net transverse magnetization.

- The question now becomes how to induce some amount of phasexy coherence within the
magnetic dipole moments of the protons of the sample.
- In order to transition from a state of low order without phasexy coherence (energetically
favorable) to a state of relatively higher order with phasexy coherence (energetically
unfavaorable), energy must by introduced to the system.
- This energy is in the form of a second, temporary applied magnetic field B1. As we are trying
to introduce order to the xy plane of the magnetic dipole moments, we have to apply the
energy, B1, in the same plane. Because we have to apply B1 in the xy plane, B1 must oscillate in
the xy plane.
- This raises several questions:
1. What is the rate at which B1 oscillates within the xy plane?
2. How large should B1 be and long do we apply B1?
1. The rate at which B1 oscillates within the xy plane depends on the Larmor frequency of the
protons of the sample, so essentially the B0 of the sample. This is because the energy transfer
from B1 to the protons of the sample is most efficient when administered at the Larmor
frequency of the protons. This is the phenomenon of magnetic resonance.
2. The strength and duration of the application of B1 is defined by the equation below, which
illiusrtates that their magnitudes depend on the desired ‘flip angle’ (Ø), which is desired angle
of Mt relative to Mz.

- T1 vs T2 contrast vs nutation from Mz to Mt

- Measuring signal, types of coils

- gradient magnetic fields

- freq vs phase encoding

- 2DFT and 3DFT , kspace basics