3.0 T versus 1.5 T: coil design similarities and differences.

The advent of large RF coil arrays, multi-channel receivers, and other specialized image acquisition techniques offer considerable gains in SNR, however, these applications in combination with higher field strength 3.0 T magnets introduce several challenges. In addition to higher cost, the 3.0 T requires more training and maintenance, but these obstacles are offset by its improved diagnostic images and shorter acquisition times. Thus, 3.0 T magnets have not yet left 1.5 T magnets entirely obsolete, despite the 3.0 T's ability to double SNR.