Which relaxation process involves the exchange of energy between neighboring protons?

The relaxation process that involves the exchange of energy between neighboring protons is spin-spin relaxation. This phenomenon occurs when the magnetic moments of nearby protons interact with each other, leading to energy transfer among them. As this interaction takes place, it allows the protons to lose their coherence and align with the magnetic field at different rates. This process contributes to the decay of the transverse magnetization and is characterized by the time constant T2.

This is an important concept in MRI because the efficiency of spin-spin relaxation contributes to image contrast and the overall quality of the MRI scan. Understanding this process helps in optimizing imaging parameters and techniques for better diagnostic outcomes.