- #1
Lucille
- 31
- 0
Homework Statement
In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we use radiofrequency (RF) coils to transmit oscillating magnetic fields into the patient. The coils are essentially series RLC antennas and must be tuned to resonate at the characteristic frequency of the experiment (called the Larmor frequency) for efficient transmission. This frequency changes as a function of the field strength of the MRI machine. At 1.5 Tesla field strength, it is 64 MHz and at 3.0 Tesla, it is 128 MHz. A simple RF coil is a loop of wire (which provides the inductance) broken by capacitors in series.
a)If the value of each of the four capacitors is 20 pF for a coil tuned to operate in a 1.5 Tesla MRI, what is the inductance of the coil?
b) If you wanted to use the same coil at 3.0 Tesla, what new value would you need to use for the capacitors?
the image can be found at http://www.chegg.com/homework-help/questions-and-answers/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri-use-radiofrequency-rf-coils-transmit-oscillating-magnetic-f-q3608466
Homework Equations
Z_c = 1/(jwC)
The Attempt at a Solution
a) as impedances add in series:
Z = 4 * 1/[(64MHz)(20pF)] = 3125 ohms
b) setting Z = 3125 and w = 128 MHz and solving for C:
C = 1/[(3125 ohms)(128 Mhz) = 2.5*10^-12 C
--> I just wanted to confirm if my answer was correct - it seems a little too simple. Am I missing something?