Abstract: Spatial NMR information is obtained from a sample by applying a magnetic field having a static component and two sinusoidally time varying gradient components (G.sub.y, G.sub.z), the period of one gradient component (G.sub.z) being preferably twice the period of the other gradient component (G.sub.y). An RF excitation pulse is applied at the instant both gradient field components are zero. A plurality of NMR sampling responses are produced by gradient echoes in data capture windows and the amplitudes of the gradient field components are varied to provide a desired distribution of sampling path in k-space in each data capture window the gradient field components are reversed in direction to enable all quadrants of k-space to be sampled.