Figure 9

Image formation - pulse sequence diagram. A pulse sequence diagram showing the relative timing of the rf and gradient pulses applied as part of the three step process to localise and encode the MR signal for image formation. The frequency-encoded MR signal echo is measured during a sampling period centred at the echo time, TE. Additional gradient pulses (shown outlined in red) are required immediately after the slice selection gradient and immediately before the frequency encoding gradient. These additional pulses ensure that any de-phasing of the transverse magnetisation caused by the imaging gradients is cancelled once the echo time, TE, is reached. This results in the echo reaching its maximum possible signal at this point.