(a) A GRASS pulse sequence optimized for imaging nonoblique planes. Maximum slew rates and maximum gradient amplitudes are used. The segments, RF, D1 (dead-period l), READ, and D2 (dead-period 2) are shown on the graph. (b) The waveforms applied to the gradient amplifiers when the imaging plane is assumed to be obtained by 30, 30, and 45 degree rotations around the x, y′, and z″ axes, respectively. The segments of the waveform that exceed the maximum allowed gradient level and slew rate are designated by bold lines.