Analysis of RF transmit performance for a multi-row multi-channel MRI loop array at 300 and 400 MHz

We present a numerical investigation of the near radiofrequency fields generated by a set of multi-row multichannel MRI loop array at 300 and 400 MHz using RF circuit and frequency domain 3-D EM co-simulation. Significant improvement of B₁+ homogeneity with a simultaneous increase of coverage in the axial direction can be obtained by using a multi-row array together with a static volume RF shim. At 300 MHz increasing element number more than four inside one row, results in no improvement of B₁+ homogeneity in case of static volume RF shimming, higher element coupling and fabrication complexity.