Gx, Gy, Gz - conventional symbols for gradient magnetic field. x, y, z denote spatial direction component of gradient, i.e. direction along that the field changes.
(GRASS) This sequence is very similar to FLASH, except that the spoiler pulse is eliminated. As a result, any transverse magnetization still present at the time of the next RF pulse is incorporated into the steady state.
GRASS uses a RF pulse that alternates in sign.
Because there is still some remaining transverse magnetization at the time of the RF pulse, a RF pulse of a degree flips the spins less than a degree from the longitudinal axis.
With small flip angles, very little longitudinal magnetization is lost and the image contrast becomes almost independent of T1. Using a very short TE eliminates T2* effects, so that the images become proton density weighted. As the flip angle is increased, the contrast becomes increasingly dependent on T1 and T2*. It is in the domain of large flip angles and short TR that GRASS exhibits vastly different contrast to FLASH type sequences.