Abstract: High and Ultra-high field imaging is currently an area of intense research in the field of magnetic resonance imaging. At this fields and frequencies, design considerations for RF coils change considerable. This dissertation discusses novel designs such as helical coil antenna and slotted waveguide array RF coils for 3 T, 4.7 T, 7 T and 10.5 T. Design and analysis of the coils are performed by multiple numerical simulations using multiple computational electromagnetic techniques. The simulation results are compared with some of the state-of-the-art RF coils designs. Some of these coil prototypes are fabricated, tested, validated and evaluated experimentally.

Adviser: Branislav M. Notaros
Co-Adviser: N/A
Non-ECE Member: Thomas E. Johnson
Member 3: Ali Pezeshki
Addional Members: Milan Ilic

Publications:
M. M. Ilić, A. A. Tonyushkin, P. S. Athalye, N. J. Šekeljić, A. J. M. Kiruluta, and B. M. Notaroš, “RF magnetic field profiling with a dielectric bore lining for traveling waves in a 3-T MRI scanner: a computational study”, ACES Journal, 2020; Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 245-249, 2020.

B. M. Notaroš, R. Y. McCullough, P. S. Athalye, and A. A. Maciejewski, “New partially flipped electromagnetic classroom approach using conceptual questions”, International Journal of Engineering Education, 2019, Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 1215-1223, 2019.

P. S. Athalye, B. M. Notaroš, and M. M. Ilić, “Full-wave modelling of RF exciters using WIPL-D: Road to real-time simulation and optimization” ACES Journal, 2018; Vol. 33, No. 10.

P. S. Athalye, M. M. Ilić, P-F van de Moortele, A. J. M. Kiruluta, and B. M. Notaroš, “Multi-channel helical-antenna inner-volume RF coils for ultra-high field MR scanners”, Concepts in Magnetic Resonance Part B – Magnetic Resonance Engineering, 2018; Vol. 48 (B), No. 4, e21405, doi: 10.1002/cmr.b.21405.

P. S. Athalye, N. J. Sekeljić, M. M. Ilić, A. A. Tonyushkin, and B. M. Notaroš, “Subject-loaded quadrifilar helical-antenna RF coil with high B1+ field uniformity and large FOV for 3-T MRI” Concepts in Magnetic Resonance Part B – Magnetic Resonance Engineering, 2016; Vol. 46 (B), No. 3, pp. 106-117, 2016.

Program of Study:
ECE-642-001: Time Harmonic Electromagnetics
ECE-536-001: RF Integrated Circuit Design
MATH-550-001: Numerical Methods in Science and Engineering
ECE-549-001: Radar Systems and Design
MATH-530-001: Mathematics for Scientists and Engineers
MATH-550-001: Numerical Methods in Science and Engineering
ECE-540-001: Computational Electromagnetics
ECE-480A3-001: Biomedical Signal and Image Processing