Hexagonal zero mode coil: a single channel multi-coil design for small animal magnetic resonance imaging

A new coil design for simultaneous multiple animal imaging based on the coaxial cavity is presented. The goal was to improve B/sub 1/ field (radiofrequency magnetic field that is used to excite the spins) homogeneity, while retaining high signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the coaxial cavity coil. The difference in B/sub 1/ field magnitude across the coil, measured experimentally as well as the one predicted on the basis of numerical calculation, is within 10%. The described design can be utilized to image 6 small animals simultaneously without great compromise in SNR.