Efficient Probes for Ultra-high-field Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Based on Coupled Ceramic Resonators

In this contribution, we present a new radiofrequency probe, a dual dielectric resonator used for transmission and reception of RF signals in Magnetic Resonance Microscopy. The probe is designed as a pair of magnetically coupled ceramic rings with the permittivity of 530 resonating at the Larmor frequency of protons at the magnetic field 17 T (730 MHz). The resonators are made of a unique low-loss ferroelectric composite ceramics, which allows doubling the scanned volume with increased signal-to-noise ratio in comparison to a metal solenoid probe. By adjusting the distance between the resonators and the position of the loop feed placed between them, the probe can be tuned and impedance-matched and does not require capacitors.