Signal-to-noise ratio and absorbed power as functions of main magnetic field strength, and definition of "90 degrees " RF pulse for the head in the birdcage coil

Calculations of the RF magnetic (B(1)) field as a function of frequency between 64 and 345 MHz were performed for a head model in an idealized birdcage coil. Absorbed power (P(abs)) and SNR were calculated at each frequency with three different methods of defining excitation pulse amplitude: maintaining 90 degrees flip angle at the coil center (center alpha = pi/2), maximizing FID amplitude (Max. A(FID)), and maximizing total signal amplitude in a reconstructed image (Max. A(image)). For center alpha = pi/2 and Max. A(image), SNR increases linearly with increasing field strength until 260 MHz, where it begins to increase at a greater rate. For these two methods, P(abs) increases continually, but at a lower rate at higher field strengths. Above 215 MHz in MRI of the human head, the use of FID amplitude to set B(1) excitation pulses may result in apparent decreases in SNR and power requirements with increasing static field strength. Magn Reson Med 45:684-691, 2001.