The receiver bandwidth (rBW) affects:

The receiver bandwidth (rBW) significantly influences the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in MRI imaging. A wider receiver bandwidth allows for the acquisition of more frequencies, which can help in reducing the amount of noise captured along with the signal. Consequently, this broader bandwidth helps to enhance SNR because it accommodates a larger range of frequencies, which can lead to more effective filtering of noise relative to the desired signal.

Furthermore, a wider bandwidth often leads to shorter acquisition times since the system can capture more information within a given period. This quicker data collection can also contribute to improved SNR, particularly in dynamic or fast imaging scenarios. Thus, by manipulating the receiver bandwidth, radiologists can optimize the SNR, which is crucial for producing clearer and more distinguishable images.

While the rBW can influence other factors such as slice thickness and spatial resolution, its primary and most direct effect is on the SNR, making it the most important factor to consider in this context.