The Potential Superconducting Materials in MRI Scanner—Comparison between NbTi and MgB2

Abstract

Although the technology used in commercial MRI scanners is in a very mature state, there are still many reasons for researchers to keep exploring how it can be optimized, such as the pursuit of higher image quality and greater patient comfort while keeping costs low. Changing the material of the superconducting magnets in MRI scanners is one of these ways. Currently, NbTi is the most commonly used superconducting magnet in MRI scanners, while in situ MgB2 is one of the hottest candidates for MRI superconductors. This paper presents the advantages of NbTi being able to be realistically installed in MRI scanners for many years and also analyzes the match of in situ MgB2 to various requirements of superconducting magnets in MRI scanners. The comparison shows that it is still NbTi that is more advantageous in recent years to come. MgB2, on the other hand, does almost match the requirements of commercial MRI scanners, if cost is not considered. However, this does not mean that MgB2 can be installed in commercial MRI scanners, and a lot of technical modifications and developments are still needed to adapt MgB2 to commercial MRI scanners before that.