Multinuclear MRI and MRS at 0.5 Tesla

This retrospective review presents the results of detecting MR signals (NMR spectra, NQR, and MR images) obtained on a clinical 0.5T MR scanner from nuclei other than protons (1H), namely isotopes 2H, 11B, 13C, 14N, 17O, 19F, 23Na, 35Cl, 29Si, and 31P. Also, we report here our latest developments in the field of 19F and 23Na MRI for medical, biological, and technological applications. The results were obtained without significant technical modifications of the MR scanner, with the addition of in-house built coils being the only change. Therefore, special attention in the article is paid to the technical aspects of the study. In this regard, we note the possibility to increase the effectiveness of multinuclear applications by adjusting frequency settings of the transceiver path, as in a typical clinical scanner they are optimized for the detection of only proton signals. The results of this work can be beneficial for the practical implementation of multinuclear applications at low field, have methodological value, and serve as a guidance (starting point) for research carried out on more advanced high-field equipment.