Self-refocused slice selection by magic echo DANTE with 270° flipping Gaussian RF modulation

The method of slice selection proposed for solid-state MRI by combining DANTE selective excitation with magic echo (ME) line narrowing requires a rephasing period ca. 0.6 times the DANTE excitation period. The added rephasing period results in a significant loss of sensitivity due to transverse relaxation. To solve the sensitivity problem, we make use of the self-refocusing effect of the 270° Gaussian-shaped soft pulse by introducing a 270° flipping Gaussian modulation to the ME DANTE method. This eliminates the rephasing period. The utility of the improved method is demonstrated by experiments performed on test samples of adamantane and polycarbonate.