A Flexible Multinuclear RF Frequency Extension for a Low-Cost, Accessible Spectrometer

Motivation: Though conceived in the earliest days of MRI/MRS, there has been a recent increase in studies collecting data from multiple nuclei simultaneously, either by interleaving TRs or truly simultaneous acquisition, to advance imaging techniques. Goal(s): Construct a flexible, standalone platform capable of exciting and receiving up to four different nuclei, thereby facilitating the investigation of various approaches to simultaneous multinuclear imaging. Approach: This platform utilizes the Digilent devices and the Digilent SDK to control four independent Analog Devices 9910 direct digital synthesizers (DDS). Results: The spectrometer design offers a flexible system for exploring simultaneous multinuclear MRI experiments. Impact: This spectrometer aims to advance multinuclear magnetic resonance research by employing direct waveform generation and sampling to simplify architecture. Its low-cost, open-source design offers accessible tools for researchers exploring innovative approaches in multinuclear spectroscopy and imaging.