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GATE 2022 BM – Question 25

Medical Imaging Systems · Magnetic Resonance Imaging · 1 mark · Multiple choice

Which explanation of MRI relaxation time constants T₁ and T₂ is correct?

  1. T₁ is spin–lattice/longitudinal relaxation time; T₂ is spin–spin/transverse relaxation time
  2. T₁ and T₂ are FID recording durations along x and y respectively
  3. T₁ and T₂ are durations of pulses flipping magnetization into the xy plane and inverse z direction
  4. T₁ is spin–spin/transverse relaxation time; T₂ is spin–lattice/longitudinal relaxation time

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Correct answer: (A) T₁ is spin–lattice/longitudinal relaxation time; T₂ is spin–spin/transverse relaxation time

Explanation

T₁ characterizes recovery of longitudinal magnetization through exchange of energy with the lattice. T₂ characterizes decay of transverse coherence through spin–spin interactions. These are material relaxation constants rather than acquisition durations or RF-pulse lengths. Therefore A.

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