Gradient coil design: a review of methods.

Methods of coil design for MRI gradient coils and other purposes are discussed. The conflicting requirements for satisfactory gradient coil performance are described and analyzed. Design methods are classified into discrete wire techniques and current density techniques. The advantages and disadvantages of each group of methods are described, and optimization methods are summarized. These include the target field approach, and constrained inductance and power minimization. Design for low fringe fields is described, including active shielding.