Strongly modulating pulses for counteracting RF inhomogeneity at high fields

A new pulse technique for counteracting RF inhomogeneity at high fields is reported. The pulses make use of the detailed knowledge of the voxels' B-1 and B-0 amplitude 2D histogram to generate, through an optimization procedure, gates where the flip angle is made uniform. Although most approaches to date require the use of parallel transmission, this method does not and therefore offers several advantages. The data necessary for the algorithm to determine an irradiation scheme requires only one transmit B-1 along with a B-0 inhomogeneity measurement. The use of a B-1 and B-0 amplitude 2D histogram instead of their spatial distribution also decreases substantially the complexity of the optimization problem, allowing the algorithm to find an RF solution in less than 30 s. Finally, the optimization procedure is based on an exact calculation and does not use any linear approximation. In this article, the theory behind the method in addition to spoiled gradient echo experimental data at 3T for 3D brain imaging are reported. The images obtained yield a reduction of the standard deviation of the sine of the flip angle by a factor of up to 15 around the desired value, compared to when a standard square pulse calibrated by the scanner is used.