A design approach for actively shielded magnetic resonance imaging magnets

A design basis for an actively shielded arrangement of coils is presented which results in an optimized magnet configuration suitable for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A random search technique is used to select configurations using the least amount of conductor, exhibiting the smallest level of field inhomogeneity, and resulting in the least level of stray field while meeting central field and size requirements. A computer program has been developed which incorporates this design approach. Magnetic configurations selected with the aid of this design tool are discussed