Solenoidal microcoil design. Part I: Optimizing RF homogeneity and coil dimensions

In Part I of this two part series, the spatial uniformity of the NMR response inside a solenoid-shaped transceiver coil is related to its dimensions, the size of the sample, and the type of radio frequency (RF) pulse sequence employed. The results establish practical guidelines for maximizing NMR sensitivity by defining minimum coil dimensions necessary for sufficient RF field homogeneity in common NMR experiments. In Part II, strategies for optimizing other coil parameters are developed by considering how the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is influenced by a solenoid's size, number of turns, wire diameter, and operating frequency, particularly when its minimum dimensions are fixed by RF homogeneity constraints.