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Magnetic Resonance Imaging: From Spin Physics to Medical Diagnosis

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Book cover The Spin

Part of the book series: Progress in Mathematical Physics ((PMP,volume 55))

Abstract

Two rather similar historical evolutions are evoked, each one originating in fundamental spin studies by physicists, and ending as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a set of invaluable tools for clinical diagnosis in the hands of medical doctors. The first one starts with the early work on nuclear magnetic resonance, the founding stone of the usual proton-based MRI, of which the basic principles are described. The second one starts with the optical pumping developments made to study the effects of spin polarization in various fundamental problems. Its unexpected outcome is a unique imaging modality, also based on MRI, for the study of lung physiology and pathologies.

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Nacher, PJ. (2009). Magnetic Resonance Imaging: From Spin Physics to Medical Diagnosis. In: Duplantier, B., Raimond, JM., Rivasseau, V. (eds) The Spin. Progress in Mathematical Physics, vol 55. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-8799-0_6

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