A magnetic resonance scanner comprising: a generally cylindrical set of coil windings (10, 30) having a central gap (16, 36, 86) that axially spaces apart two sub-sets (20, 22, 40, 42) of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings (10, 30); a main magnet (62, 64) disposed outside of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings and operable to generate an axially oriented static magnetic field in a region of interest (R, R') within the magnetic resonance scanner, the generally cylindrical set of coil windings being operable to superimpose a transverse magnetic field gradient ( G y, G y ') on the axially oriented static magnetic field in the region of interest; an array of positron emission tomography detectors disposed in the central gap; mounting members connecting with the PET detectors to support the PET detectors independently from the generally cylindrical set of coil windings (10, 30), wherein the mounting members are adapted to be connected to an outer support, to avoid that vibrations generated by the generally cylindrical set of coil windings (10, 30) are transfered to the PET detectors; or piezo-actuators and acceleration sensors cooperating with the piezo-actuators to vibrationally isolate the PET detectors; one generally cylindrical dielectric former (50") or two dielectric spaced apart generally cylindrical dielectric formers (50, 52) supporting the two spaced apart sub-sets (40, 42) of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings; and wherein each sub-set of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings (10; 30) includes primary coil windings (12, 32), shield coil windings (14, 34) at a larger radial position than the primary coil windings, and connecting conductors (24, 44) at an edge adjacent the central gap electrically connecting selected primary and secondary coil windings of the sub-set. a generally cylindrical set of coil windings (10, 30) having a central gap (16, 36, 86) that axially spaces apart two sub-sets (20, 22, 40, 42) of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings (10, 30); a main magnet (62, 64) disposed outside of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings and operable to generate an axially oriented static magnetic field in a region of interest (R, R') within the magnetic resonance scanner, the generally cylindrical set of coil windings being operable to superimpose a transverse magnetic field gradient ( G y, G y ') on the axially oriented static magnetic field in the region of interest; an array of positron emission tomography detectors disposed in the central gap; mounting members connecting with the PET detectors to support the PET detectors independently from the generally cylindrical set of coil windings (10, 30), wherein the mounting members are adapted to be connected to an outer support, to avoid that vibrations generated by the generally cylindrical set of coil windings (10, 30) are transfered to the PET detectors; or piezo-actuators and acceleration sensors cooperating with the piezo-actuators to vibrationally isolate the PET detectors; one generally cylindrical dielectric former (50") or two dielectric spaced apart generally cylindrical dielectric formers (50, 52) supporting the two spaced apart sub-sets (40, 42) of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings; and wherein each sub-set of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings (10; 30) includes primary coil windings (12, 32), shield coil windings (14, 34) at a larger radial position than the primary coil windings, and connecting conductors (24, 44) at an edge adjacent the central gap electrically connecting selected primary and secondary coil windings of the sub-set.