Simultaneous Acquisition of Quadrupolar Order and Double-Quantum 23Na Signals

Abstract

Na+ with both residual quadrupolar coupling and biexponential relaxation contributes to the signal acquired from DQF-4, while only Na+ with residual quadrupolar coupling contributes to the signal acquired with the Jeener-Broekaert sequence. Since RF phases and flip angles for DQF-4 and Jeener-Broekaert sequences are identical, these different types of signals can be generated simultaneously. A phase-cycling scheme is developed to differentiate the signals corresponding to residual quadrupolar coupling and biexponential relaxation after the signals are acquired by use of the same RF sequences. This technique can maximize the attainable information from Na+ in biological tissues in a given acquisition time. © 1997 Academic Press.