DESIGN OF FREQUENCY-SELECTIVE RF PULSES BY OPTIMIZING A SMALL NUMBER OF PULSE PARAMETERS

Slice-selective amplitude-modulated and adiabatic frequency-modulated π pulses are obtained by optimizing a small number of significant pulse parameters by unconstrained optimization of a suitable function. The method is also used to optimize the slice profile of AM pulses taking into account the RF inhomogeneity in the selection direction and to reduce the specific absorption rate and peak power. Experimental slice profiles are presented to verify the performance of the optimized pulses. © 1993 by Academic Press, Inc.