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Abstract:
Signal generation in magnetic resonance imaging is driven by either of two fundamental mechanisms: spin echoes or gradient echoes. This lecture introduces the basic concepts and properties of gradient echo formation in comparison to spin-echo imaging. The influence of acquisition parameters on the produced contrast is described and typical artifacts are discussed. Special focus is on the design of rapid gradient-echo sequences based on the principle of steady-state free precession (SSFP), including three main classes: radiofrequency-spoiled gradient-echo, nonbalanced SSFP, and balanced SSFP imaging.