Inhomogeneity is the degree of lack of homogeneity, for example the fractional deviation of the local magnetic field from the average value of the field. Inhomogeneities of the static magnetic field, produced by the scanner as well as by object susceptibility, is unavoidable in MRI. The large value of gyromagnetic coefficient causes a significant frequency shift even for few parts per million field inhomogeneity, which in turn causes distortions in both geometry and intensity of the MR images.
Manufacturers try to make the magnetic field as homogeneous as possible, especially at the core of the scanner. Even with an ideal magnet, a little inhomogeneity is always left and is caused in addition by the susceptibility of the imaging object. The geometrical distortion (displacement of the pixel locations) are important e.g., for some cases as stereotactic surgery. Displacements up to 3 to 5 mm have been reported. The second problem is the undesired changes in the intensity or brightness of pixels, which may cause problems in determining different tissues and reduce the maximum achievable image resolution.

General strategies for reducing field inhomogeneity induced artifacts:
Increasing the strength of the gradient magnetic field.
Decreasing the echo time.
Improving the image resolution. Phase encoding. Postprocessing.

(LMR) A particular technique for obtaining NMR spectra, for example, of phosphorus, from a limited region by creating a sensitive volume with inhomogeneous applied gradient magnetic fields, which may be enhanced with the use of surface coils.

Briefly applied magnetic field gradients.

See also Bipolar Gradient Pulse and Gradient Magnetic Field.

Exclusive excitation of spins in one slice performed by the coincident combination of a gradient magnetic field and a narrow bandwidth or slice selective RF pulse at a specific Larmor frequency.

Magnetic field gradients are used to change the strength of the magnetic field Bo in a certain direction. Gradients are used in MR imaging with selective excitation to select a region for imaging and also to be able to encode the location of MR signals received from the object being imaged. The field strength is measured in Tesla per meter (T/m).