B
0, that is "B ''subscript'' zero", is also generally used in
Magnetic Resonance Imaging to denote the ''net magnetization vector''. Although in
physics
Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge which rel ...
and
mathematics the notation to represent a physical quantity can be arbitrary, it is generally accepted in the literature, such as the
International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine is a "multi-disciplinary nonprofit association that promotes innovation, development, and application of magnetic resonance
Magnetic resonance is a process by which a physical excit ...
that B
0 represents net magnetization. This is particularly prominent in areas of science where magnetic fields are important such as
spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is the field of study that measures and interprets the electromagnetic spectra that result from the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter as a function of the wavelength or frequency of the radiation. Matter ...
. By convention, B
0 is interpreted as a
vector
Vector most often refers to:
*Euclidean vector, a quantity with a magnitude and a direction
*Vector (epidemiology), an agent that carries and transmits an infectious pathogen into another living organism
Vector may also refer to:
Mathematic ...
quantity pointing the z-direction, with subsequent x and y
cartesian axes oriented with the
right hand rule
In mathematics and physics, the right-hand rule is a common mnemonic for understanding orientation of axes in three-dimensional space. It is also a convenient method for quickly finding the direction of a cross-product of 2 vectors.
Most ...
.
B
0 is also the symbol often used to denote the ''reference'' magnetization in which equations with
electromagnetic fields
An electromagnetic field (also EM field or EMF) is a classical (i.e. non-quantum) field produced by (stationary or moving) electric charges. It is the field described by classical electrodynamics (a classical field theory) and is the classical ...
are normalized.
References
Magnetic resonance imaging
{{MRI-stub