T2relaxatietijd

T2 relaxation time, also known as spin-spin relaxation time, is a fundamental parameter in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). It quantifies the time it takes for the transverse magnetization of a spin system to decay. This decay is caused by interactions between neighboring spins, leading to a loss of phase coherence.

In NMR, the T2 relaxation time is crucial for determining the structural and dynamic properties of molecules. Different molecular environments and interactions lead to varying T2 values. For example, molecules with restricted motion tend to have longer T2 relaxation times than those undergoing rapid tumbling. Measuring T2 relaxation times can help differentiate between different types of tissues in MRI, as they exhibit distinct T2 values.

The T2 relaxation process is influenced by several factors, including molecular size, viscosity, and the presence of paramagnetic substances. These interactions cause local magnetic field variations that dephase the spins. The T2 relaxation time is always shorter than or equal to the T1 relaxation time (spin-lattice relaxation time), which describes the decay of longitudinal magnetization. Understanding T2 relaxation is essential for designing NMR experiments and interpreting the resulting spectra, as well as for optimizing MRI pulse sequences to enhance image contrast and diagnostic capabilities.