(RF) Radio frequency refers to that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in which electromagnetic waves can be generated by alternating current fed to an antenna.
The RF pulses used in MRI are commonly in the 1-100 megahertz range, and their effect upon a body is potential heating of tissues and foreign bodies, such as metallic implants, mainly at the surface.
This is a principal area of concern for MRI safety limits caused by absorption (see specific absorption rate) of the applied pulses of RF energy.

The higher the frequency, the larger will be the amount of heat developed.
The more ionic the biochemical environment in the tissue, the more energy that will be deposited as heat.
This effect is well known for homogeneous model systems, but the complex structure of various human tissues makes detailed theoretical calculations very difficult, if not impossible. By scanning problems, it is important to verify the transmission frequency. If the RF transmitted into the patient was, e.g. 5000 Hz lower than the resonance frequency of the protons, no protons was excited, and no signal returns.

A coil is a large inductor with a considerable dimension and a defined wavelength, commonly used in configurations for MR imaging. The frequency of the radio frequency coil is defined by the Larmor relationship.
The MRI image quality depends on the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the acquired signal from the patient. Several MR imaging coils are necessary to handle the diversity of applications. Large coils have a large measurement field, but low signal intensity and vice versa (see also coil diameter). The closer the coil to the object, the stronger the signal - the smaller the volume, the higher the SNR. SNR is very important in obtaining clear images of the human body. The shape of the coil depends on the image sampling. The best available homogeneity can be reached by choice of the appropriate coil type and correct coil positioning. Orientation is critical to the sensitivity of the RF coil and therefore the coil should be perpendicular to the static magnetic field.

RF coils can be differentiated by there function into three general categories:
The RF signal is in the range of 10 to 100 MHz. During a typical set of clinical image measurements, the entire frequency spectrum of interest is of the order 10 kHz, which is an extremely narrow band, considering that the center frequency is about 100 MHz. This allows the use of single-frequency matching techniques for coils because their inherent bandwidth always exceeds the image bandwidth. The multi turn solenoid, bird cage coil, single turn solenoid, and saddle coil are typically operated as the transmitter and receiver of RF energy. The surface and phased array coils are typically operated as a receive only coil.

See also the related poll result: '3rd party coils are better than the original manufacturer coils'

A pulse is a rapid change in the amplitude of a RF signal or in some characteristic a RF signal, e.g., phase or frequency, from a baseline value to a higher or lower value, followed by a rapid return to the baseline value. For radio frequencies near the Larmor frequency, it will result in rotation of the macroscopic magnetization vector. The amount of rotation will depend on the strength and duration of the RF pulse; commonly used examples are 90° (p/2) and 180° (p) pulses.
RF pulses are used in the spin preparation phase of a pulse sequence, which prepare the spin system for the ensuing measurements. In many sequences, RF pulses are also applied to the volumes outside the one to be measured. This is the case when spatial presaturation techniques are used to suppress artifacts. Many preparation pulses are required in MR spectroscopy to suppress signal from unwanted spins. The simplest preparation pulse making use of spectroscopic properties is a fat saturation pulse, which specifically irradiates the patient at the fat resonant frequency, so that the magnetization coming from fat protons is tilted into the xy-plane where it is subsequently destroyed by a strong dephasing gradient.
The frequency spectrum of RF pulses is critical as it determines the spatial extension and homogeneity over which the spin magnetization is influenced while a gradient field is applied.

The use of varying phase or timing of the RF pulses to prevent setting up a condition of steady state free precession, e.g. in rapid excitation MR imaging.

See also Spoiler Gradient Pulse and Rapid Excitation Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Radio frequency shielding includes the construction of enclosures for the purpose of reducing the transmission of electric or magnetic fields from one space to another (Faraday cage, Faraday shield). Electrically conducted shielding is designed to isolate MRI systems from its environment at the resonant frequencies.
All electronic and computer systems radiate certain frequencies of radio and magnetic waves. They can interfere with other equipment in the vicinity. Magnetic shielding enclosures are used to reduce the levels of RF radiation that enters or leaves the shielded room.
Copper shielding enclosures are designed to filter a range of frequencies under specified conditions. One of the characteristics of copper is its high electrical conductivity. Also its other physical properties like ductility, malleability, and ease of soldering, make it an ideal material for radio frequency shielding. Sheet copper can be formed into any shape and size, and electrically connected to a grounding system to provide an effective RF shielding.

See also MRI Safety