Advancing MRI Capacitors: Design, Fabrication, and Characterization

Abstract

In today's healthcare landscape, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) plays a pivotal role in early diagnosis and treatment decisions. However, the quest for higher frequencies to achieve micron-level resolutions poses technological challenges. This paper focuses on coils and capacitors, with special attention to air gap considerations for movable electrodes. The paper delves into the development of adjustable capacitors using high-fired NP0 ceramic, tailored for 128 MHz MRI systems. These capacitors boast impressive specs: a 3 kV breakdown voltage (VBreakdown), a 3 pF minimum capacitance (Cmin), a 30 pF maximum capacitance (CMax), and a 1.5 pF stepwise capacitance variation (Cvariation step). Notably, they enhance breakdown voltage while preserving frequency stability with MgTiCa ceramic between the fixer and mobile electrode, critical for adaptive blocks. Leveraging geometrical parameters analyzed through the ANSYS simulator, we meticulously designed an optimized 25-40 pF capacitor with a 15mm height and 1600 mm2 surface area. Post-fabrication and sintering, extensive testing using a vector network analyzer across 10 MHz to 100 MHz validated performance against simulated expectations.