A Self-Decoupled 32 Channel Receive Array for Human Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 10.5T

Purpose: Receive array layout, noise mitigation and B0 field strength are crucial contributors to signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and parallel imaging performance. Here, we investigate SNR and parallel imaging gains at 10.5Tesla (T) compared to 7T using 32-channel receive arrays at both fields. Methods: A self-decoupled 32-channel receive array for human brain imaging at 10.5T (10.5T-32Rx), consisting of 31 loops and one cloverleaf element, was co-designed and built in tandem with a 16-channel dual-row loop transmitter. Novel receive array design and self-decoupling techniques were implemented. Parallel imaging performance, in terms of SNR and noise amplification (g-factor), of the 10.5T-32Rx was compared to the performance of an industry-standard 32-channel receiver at 7T (7T-32Rx) via experimental measurements using a human head shaped phantom. Results: The 10.5T-32Rx provided 67% more central SNR and 87% more peripheral SNR compared to the 7T-32Rx. Minimum inverse g-factor value of the 10.5T-32Rx (min(1/g) = 0.56) was 51% higher than that of the 7T-32Rx (min(1/g) = 0.37) with R=4x4 2D acceleration, resulting in significantly enhanced parallel imaging performance at 10.5T compared to 7T. The g-factor values of 10.5T-32Rx were on par with those of a 64-channel receiver at 7T, e.g. 1.8 versus 1.9, respectively, with R=4x4 axial acceleration. Conclusion: Experimental measurements demonstrated effective self-decoupling of the receive array as well as substantial gains in SNR and parallel imaging performance at 10.5T compared to 7T.