The effect of high performance gradients on fast gradient echo imaging

The effect of gradient system performance on segmented k-space gradient echo imaging is presented. Three cases were investigated. First, an ideal system that has infinite slew rates and unlimited maximum gradient strengths was considered. Second, a 'high speed' imaging system (2.3 (G/cm), 23 (G/cm)/ms) was considered. These two cases were compared with a 'conventional' imaging system (1(G/cm), 1.67 (G/cm)/ms). It was found that substantial increases in SNR can be achieved (≃45%) by using high speed versus a conventional gradient system, for a TR of 6 ms. For trapezoidal gradient waveforms, there exists an optimum maximum gradient strength for a given slew rate, and any increase in gradient strength above this optimum will not be utilized by an optimized sequence. These studies have shown that increasing TR without decreasing the bandwidth is not a good way to increase SNR for constant scan time.