| abstract |
A vertical B 0 temporally constant magnetic field is defined between a pair of pole faces (12, 14) that are interconnected by a C-shaped ferrous magnetic flux path (16). A quadrature radio frequency coil array (50) is disposed in a plane orthogonal to the B 0 field. The coil array includes a plurality of coils (50 1 , 50 2 , . . . ) that are disposed in a partially overlapping relationship. Each of the coils has a peripheral loop (60), preferably defined by four linear legs (60 1 , 60 2 , 60 3 , 60 4 ) of equal length which define a square. A pair of crossing elements (62 1 , 62 2 ) are connected with mid-points of opposite sides of the square, the opposite mid-points are 180° out-of-phase with each other at the magnetic resonance frequency and 90° out-of-phase with neighboring mid-points of the square. The crossing elements cross but are not connected, in a symmetric relationship. Each of the crossing elements has a radio frequency pick-up (64 1 , 64 2 ) associated therewith. The two radio frequency pick-ups receive 90° offset, quadrature radio frequency signals from resonating nuclei within the B 0 field. |