Joint RF Pulse and Gradient Design for 2D Spatially Selective Excitation Using Optimal Control and B-Spline Waveform Model: Initial Experience

Wei Feng¹, E Mark Haacke¹, ²

Two-dimensional spatially selective RF pulse design evolved from investigation under the small-tip-angle (STA) assumption to general design without such a constraint, using either least squares optimization or an optimal control approach. Most work focused on optimization of the RF waveform given a fixed gradient trajectory. In this work, we propose a RF and gradient joint design algorithm under the framework of optimal control theory using a cubic B-spline waveform model. Preliminary results show that the algorithm can improve the excitation profile over the design under the STA assumption, especially for large tip angles.