Spatial encoding in MRI and k-space

1. What does k-space do in MRI?
2. What is spatial encoding in MRI?
3. What is k-space and how does it can it affect image contrast?

What does k-space do in MRI?

The k-space is an extension of the concept of Fourier space well known in MR imaging. The k-space represents the spatial frequency information in two or three dimensions of an object. The k-space is defined by the space covered by the phase and frequency encoding data.

What is spatial encoding in MRI?

With MRI the signal is localised in the 3D space by manipulating the magnetic properties of the nuclei in a predictable way. The signals are then returned with a particular frequency and phase and these are slotted into their respective locations. The brightness of the pixel is the amplitude of the signal returned.

What is k-space and how does it can it affect image contrast?

[right half black circle] k-space is the Fourier transform of the image: the center of k-space holds low-spatial-frequency information (image contrast), whereas the periphery of k-space holds high-spatial-frequency information (image details).