Superconducting magnetic resonance probe coil

Claim 2

A magnetic resonance probe coil, comprising: an inductive element in the form of a spiral of greater than one turn, a capacitive element, said inductive and capacitive elements formed from at least one thin layer of superconductive material, wherein said capacitive element is formed of a plurality of interdigitated electrodes extending between consecutive turns of said spiral.

Claim 3

The probe coil of claim 1 wherein said superconducting material is an oxide superconductor having a critical temperature greater than 30 K.

Claim 4

The probe coil of claim 2 wherein said inductive element and said capacitive element are formed of a thin film of said superconducting material deposited onto a planar substrate.

Claim 5

The probe coil of claim 1 having a resonant frequency.

Claim 6

The probe coil of claim 4 wherein said resonant frequency lies in the range of 1 to 1000 MHz.

Claim 7

The probe coil of claim 4 wherein said probe coil operates in self-resonant mode.

Claim 8

The probe coil of claim 1, wherein: said inductive element is in the form of a spiral of approximately two turn, thus having an outer turn and an inner turn, and said capacitive element is formed of a plurality of outer electrodes electrically connected to said outer turn, said outer electrodes radiating inwardly toward the center of said spiral, and a plurality of inner electrodes electrically connected to said inner turn, said inner electrodes radiating outwardly away from the center of said spiral, said inner electrodes interdigitating with said outer electrodes.

Claim 9

The probe coil of claim 7 wherein: said outer electrodes are evenly distributed along said outer turn, and said inner electrodes are evenly distributed along said inner turn.

Claim 10

The probe coil of claim 1 wherein said spiral comprises a spiral of steadily decreasing diameter.

Claim 11

The probe coil of claim 1 wherein said spiral comprises a series of circular arcs interconnected to form a functional spiral.

Claim 12

The probe coil of claim 1 wherein said spiral comprises a series of line segments interconnected to form a functional spiral.

Claim 13

The probe coil of claim 1 wherein: said inductive element is in the form of a spiral having a multiplicity of turns, and said capacitive element is formed of a plurality of interdigitated electrodes extending between consecutive turns of said spiral.

Claim 14

The probe coil of claim 12 wherein said plurality of interdigitated electrodes comprises: a plurality of inner electrodes extending outward from the inner turn of each pair of consecutive turns of said spiral, and a plurality of outer electrodes extending inward from the outer turn of each pair of consecutive turns of said spiral, said inner electrodes interdigitating with said outer electrodes.

Claim 15

The probe coil of claim 1 further comprising at least one bonding pad for forming an electrical connection with said probe coil.

Claim 16

The probe coil of claim 1 further comprising a means for effectively coupling said probe coil to a preamplifier.

Claim 17

The probe coil of claim 15 wherein said means comprises a capacitive coupling between said probe coil and said preamplifier.

Claim 18

The probe coil of claim 15 wherein said means comprises an inductive coupling between said probe coil and said preamplifier.

Claim 19

The probe coil of claim 15 wherein said means comprises a broadband matching network which couples said probe coil to said preamplifier.

Claim 20

The probe coil of claim 18 wherein said probe coil has a loaded quality factor, and said broadband matching network couples said probe coil to said preamplifier over a fractional bandwidth substantially greater than the reciprocal of the loaded quality factor of said probe coil.

Claim 21

A magnetic resonance probe coil, comprising: an inductive element in the form of a spiral of greater than one turn, a capacitive element, said inductive and capacitive elements formed from at least one thin layer of superconductive material, wherein said inductive element consists of a spiral having more than one turn, said spiral having an inner end and an outer end; said capacitive element is formed of a concentric electrode and a plurality of interdigitated electrodes, said concentric electrode encircling said inductive element and said interdigitated electrodes extending between the outer turn of said spiral at said concentric electrode; and wherein said inner end of said spiral is in electrical contact with said concentric electrode of said capacitive element.

Claim 22

A magnetic resonance probe coil, comprising: an inductive element in the form of a spiral of greater than one turn, a capacitive element, said inductive and capacitive elements formed from at least one thin layer of superconductive material, wherein said inductive element consists of a spiral having more than one turn, said spiral having an inner end and an outer end; said capacitive element is formed of a concentric electrode and a plurality of interdigitated electrodes, said concentric electrode encircling said inductive element and said interdigitated electrodes extending between the outer turn of said spiral at said concentric electrode; and wherein said inner end of said spiral is in electrical contact with said concentric electrode of said capacitive element.

Claim 23

A magnetic resonance probe coil, comprising: an inductive element in the form of a spiral of greater than one turn, a capacitive element, said inductive and capacitive elements formed from at least one thin layer of superconductive material, wherein said inductive element is a first inductor and said capacitive element is a first capacitor, and further comprising a dielectric layer having a top side and a bottom side; a second inductor in the form of a spiral of greater than one turn, each of said inductors having an inner end and an outer end; a second capacitor, each of said capacitors consisting of a first electrode and a second electrode; wherein said first electrode of said first capacitor is formed from the same thin layer of superconductive material as and is connected to said inner end of said first inductor, and said first electrode of said second capacitor is formed from the same thin layer of superconductive material as and is connected to said outer end of said first inductor, and wherein said second electrode of said first capacitor is formed from the same thin layer of superconductive material as and is connected to said inner end of said second inductor, and said second electrode of said second capacitor is formed from the same thin layer of superconductive material as and is connected to said outer end of said second inductor, and wherein said dielectric is interposed between said first and second inductors and between said first and second electrodes of said first and second capacitors.

Claim 24

A magnetic resonance probe coil, comprising: an inductive element in the form of a spiral of greater than one turn, a capacitive element, said inductive and capacitive elements formed from at least one thin layer of superconductive material, wherein said inductive element is a first inductor and said capacitive element is a first capacitor, and further comprising a dielectric layer having a top side and a bottom side; a second inductor in the form of a spiral of greater than one turn, each of said inductors having an inner end and an outer end; a second capacitor, each of said capacitors consisting of a first electrode and a second electrode; wherein said first electrode of said first capacitor is formed from the same thin layer of superconductive material as and is connected to said inner end of said first inductor, and said first electrode of said second capacitor is formed from the same thin layer of superconductive material as and is connected to said outer end of said first inductor, and wherein said second electrode of said first capacitor is formed from the same thin layer of superconductive material as and is connected to said inner end of said second inductor, and said second electrode of said second capacitor is formed from the same thin layer of superconductive material as and is connected to said outer end of said second inductor, and wherein said dielectric is interposed between said first and second inductors and between said first and second electrodes of said first and second capacitors.