Optimal design of superconducting magnets for whole-body NMR imaging

A new optimal design technique of magnetic field systems, which utilizes a coupling procedure of the hybrid finite element-boundary element method (HFB method) and the mathematical programming, is proposed. This technique is applied to the design of the high homogeneous field superconducting magnet system with the environmental shield for whole-body NMR imaging. Results of the optimal design for three 1.0-tesla-magnet systems with different types of shields (an iron shield, a shield magnet, and a combination of the iron shield and the shield magnet) are shown.