Magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging explores the atomic-scale and mesoscale environments of nuclear spin to produce images predominantly of soft matter. Within 10 years of its first realization over 50 years ago, it has been established in medical diagnostics. It has undergone continuous development to improve image quality and sensitivity by using both higher magnetic fields and by making instrumentation more affordable and portable. The physical principles and major milestones of MRI are reviewed and concluded with an outlook into the future.