Stream function optimization for gradient coil design

This work presents a method applied to the design of short self-shielded gradient coils of cylindrical geometry. The method uses a hybrid technique that combines the simulated annealing and target field methods to optimize the standard stream functions. The optimized stream functions were parameterized using a few degrees of freedom to reduce the computing time. The optima stream function parameters are given for easy coil design purposes. The proposed approach is compared to the target field method. The main advantage of the present method over the target field method is its ability to enlarge the homogeneous gradient volume. In addition, the designs of short coils based on this approach have shown lower inductance than the coil design based on the target field method. The fast-simulated annealing technique presented in this work enables the gradient coil optimization in less than 3 min of computing time. Magn Reson Med 45:505–512, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.