(FID) A free inductiondecay curve is generated as excited nuclei relax. The amplitude of the FID signal becomes smaller over time as net magnetization returns to equilibrium.
If transverse magnetization of the spins is produced, e.g. by a 90° pulse, a transient MR signal will result that will decay toward zero with a characteristic time constant T2 (or T2*); this decaying signal is the free inductiondecay.
The signal peaks of the echoes fall onto this T2 decay curve, while at each echo the signals arise and decay with T2*. The typical T2 relaxation times being of the order of 5-200 ms in the human body.
The first part of the FID is not observable (named the 'receiver dead time') caused by residual effects of the powerful exciting radio frequency pulse on the electronics of the receiver.