A system and method are provided for designing RF pulses which have
improved magnetization profiles. By utilizing an optimal control approach
as an alternative to, or in combination with, non-iterative
approximations, RF pulses generated by the system and method described
herein will exhibit less deviation from that of "ideal" Bloch solutions.
Consequently, the magnetization profiles produced by the RF pulses
generated by the system and method described herein will be closer to the
desired profiles. In addition, limitations of non-iterative
approximations, such as maximum tip angle limits and linearity
constraints, can be avoided.