The incoherent gradient echo (gradient spoiled) type of sequence uses a continuous shifting of the RF pulse to spoil the remaining transverse magnetization. The transverse magnetization is destroyed by a magnetic field gradient. This results in a T1 weighted image. Spoiling can be accomplished by RF or a gradient.
Gradient spoiling occurs after each echo by using strong gradients in the slice-select direction after the frequency encoding and before the next RF pulse. Because spins in different locations in the magnet thereby experience a variety of magnetic field strengths, they will precess at differing frequencies; as a consequence they will quickly become dephased. Magnetic field gradients are not very efficient at spoiling the transverse steady state. To be effective, the spins must be forced to precess far enough to become phased randomly with respect to the RF excitation pulse. In clinical MRI machines, the field gradients are set up in such a way that they increase and decrease relative to the center of the magnet; the magnetic field at the magnet 'isocenter' does not change.
The T1 weighting increases with the flip angle and the T2* weighting increases with echo time (TE). Typical repetition time (TR) are 30-500 ms and TE less than 15 ms.

See also Ernst Angle.

(FLASH) A fast sequence producing signals called gradient echo with low flip angles. FLASH sequences are modifications, which incorporate or remove the effects of transverse coherence respectively.
FLASH uses a semi-random spoiler gradient after each echo to spoil the steady state (to destroy any remaining transverse magnetization) by causing a spatially dependent phase shift. The transverse steady state is spoiled but the longitudinal steady state depends on the T1 values and the flip angle. Extremely short TR times are possible, as a result the sequence provides a mechanism for gaining extremely high T1 contrast by imaging with TR times as brief as 20 to 30 msec while retaining reasonable signal levels. It is important to keep the TE as short as possible to suppress susceptibility artifacts.
The T1 contrast depends on the TR as well as on flip angle, with short TE.
Small flip angles and short TR results in proton density, and long TR in T2* weighting.
With large flip angles and short TR result T1 weighted images.

TR and flip angle adjustment:
TR 3000 ms, Flip Angle 90°
TR 1500 ms, Flip Angle 45°
TR 700 ms, Flip Angle 25°
TR 125 ms, Flip Angle 10°

The apparent ability to trade TR against flip angle for purposes of contrast and the variation in SNR as the scan time (TR) is reduced.

See also Gradient Echo Sequence.

(MPGR) Multiplanar gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state is a term for a fast gradient echo sequence with slice selective RF pulses.

See Gradient Recalled Echo Sequence and Gradient Echo Sequence.

(SHORT) Gradient echo sequences.

See Incoherent Gradient Echo (gradient spoiled.

(STAGE) A gradient echo sequence with low flip angles and spoiled gradients.
See Spoiled Gradient Echo Sequence.