Abstract: A method for optimization of an RF pulse for exciting spins in a slab in a magnetic resonance examination is provided. The RF pulse is to be played out with a coil having a plurality of independent parallel transmit elements. The method includes receiving complex B1+ field sensitivity maps for the plurality of parallel transmit elements and dividing the slab into at least two sub-slabs. For each sub-slab, B1+ shimming is performed to optimize the RF shim settings for the plurality of parallel transmit elements. The optimized RF shim settings are combined for each sub-slab to create a multiband RF pulse that simultaneously excites the spins in the complete slab.

Abstract: A method for optimization of an RF pulse that is multi-band. The RF pulse is a spokes RF pulse including a train of sub-pulses. The method includes using a starting k-space position as a current k-space position, and for each of slices to be excited by the RF pulse, performing: calculating a sub-pulse based on the current k-space position and calculating an expected magnetization after that sub-pulse; calculating an inverse Fourier transform of a difference between an expected magnetization and a target magnetization; and determining an optimal k-space position for a next spoke for this slice to be at a position where an absolute value of the inverse Fourier transform has a maximum. A next k-space position is determined for all slices together based on the optimal k-space positions determined for each slice individually. A multi-band RF pulse is determined based on the determined k-space positions.

Abstract: A method of acquiring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from an MRI scan of an object includes generating a number of excitation sequences by, in order: generating an excitation pulse, generating an imaging magnetic field gradient, and generating a spoiler magnetic field gradient. MRI data is acquired during the generation of the spoiler magnetic field gradients. The spoiler magnetic field gradients are selected such that, during each excitation sequence, substantially the same k-space trajectory is traversed during the generation of the spoiler magnetic field gradient.

Abstract: A method of acquiring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from an MRI scan of an object includes generating a number of excitation sequences by, in order: generating an excitation pulse, generating an imaging magnetic field gradient, and generating a spoiler magnetic field gradient. MRI data is acquired during the generation of the spoiler magnetic field gradients. The spoiler magnetic field gradients are selected such that, during each excitation sequence, substantially the same k-space trajectory is traversed during the generation of the spoiler magnetic field gradient.