Riding the Traveling Wave - An Introduction to Traveling Wave MPI by Patrick Vogel, Würzburg

In this nexMPI Training School lecture, Dr. Patrick Vogel from Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany, introduces the fundamental principles and technological developments of Traveling Wave Magnetic Particle Imaging (TWMPI). The presentation explores the nonlinear magnetic response of nanoparticles, magnetic relaxation effects, and the principles of spatial encoding using traveling magnetic fields. Particular attention is given to the design and operation of TWMPI scanners, including dynamic linear gradient arrays, field-free points, excitation and receive coil systems, and three-dimensional imaging. Through experimental examples and scanner developments, the lecture highlights signal acquisition, image reconstruction, and the potential of Traveling Wave MPI for advancing magnetic nanoparticle imaging and biomedical applications.