The parallel-antiparallel signal difference in double-wave-vector diffusion-weighted MR at short mixing times: A phase evolution perspective

► The phase evolution of diffusing spins in a short-mixing-time DWV experiment is considered step-by-step. ► The signal difference between parallel and antiparallel wave vectors can be demon-strated pictorially. ► An analysis of the phase distributions reveals the difference expected from the basic theory. ► The intermediate signal amplitude for orthogonal wave vectors can be reproduced.