A comparison of MRI magnet design using a Hopfield Network and the Optimized Material Distribution method

Two approaches to device design, the Hopfield Network and Optimized Material Distribution (OMD), are compared. The comparison is based on a previously published MRI dipole magnet design problem. Since this problem is already formulated as a material distribution problem, the results focus on the optimization procedures used in the two methods, i.e. the learning algorithm of the Hopfield network versus the conjugate gradient algorithm used in OMD. Results of the two methods are presented, and are also compared to a previously published simulated annealing solution.