transverse magnetisation

transverse magnetisation

An MRI term for a component of the net magnetisation vector located at right angles to the main magnetic field. Precession (gyration) of the transverse magnetisation at the Larmor frequency generates the detectable NMR signal. Without externally applied radio frequency energy, transverse magnetisation decays to zero with a characteristic time constant of T2, or more strictly T2*. The transverse magnetisation value drops from maximum to about 37% of its original value in a time T2.