Atomic nuclei in a strong magnetic field rotate at a frequency that is dependent on the strength of the magnetic field. Their energy can be increased if they absorb radio waves with the same frequency (resonance). When the atomic nuclei return to their previous energy level, radio waves are emitted, called nuclei magnetic resonance (NMR). Based on this principle, knowing that the energy released attenuates at different rate in different materials, images of internal structures of an object can be acquired using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by applying a gradient and detecting radio wave signals which reveal the positions and kinds of certain nuclei constituting the object. The attempts of utilizing this technique on human by P.Lauterbur and P.Mansfield have led to a revolutionary tool for medical diagnose. Extremely rapid imaging could be achieved by very strong and fast gradients, which helped realizing MRI in medical imaging and research, and promoted the development of medicine, neurophysiology as well as cognitive neuroscience remarkably.
WANG Bo, ZHONG Kai. Revolution of MRI in Medicine:The Introduction of The 2003 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine[J]. Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics,2003,30(6):827-832
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