A low-field magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, system, comprising: a plurality of magnetics components including: a B 0 magnet configured to produce a low-field main magnetic field B 0; at least one gradient coil configured to, when operated, provide spatial encoding of emitted magnetic resonance signals; at least one radio frequency, RF, component configured to acquire, when operated, the emitted magnetic resonance signals; and at least one controller configured to operate one or more of the plurality of magnetics components in accordance with at least one pulse sequence having a diffusion-weighted gradient encoding period followed by multiple echo periods (240, 250) during which magnetic resonance signals are produced and detected, wherein: at least two of the multiple echo periods correspond to respective encoded echoes having an opposite gradient polarity, the multiple echo periods include a first echo period during which a first encoded echo has a first gradient polarity and a second echo period immediately following the first echo period during which a second encoded echo has a second gradient polarity opposite the first gradient polarity, the at least one pulse sequence further comprises an RF pulse followed by a readout period, wherein the readout period overlaps in time with the diffusion-weighted gradient encoding period, and the diffusion-weighted gradient encoding period includes a diffusion-weighted gradient pulse with asymmetrical attack and decay edges such that the diffusion-weighted gradient pulse is not trapezoidal shaped, wherein the attack edge of the diffusion-weighted gradient pulse has a slope that varies. a plurality of magnetics components including: a B 0 magnet configured to produce a low-field main magnetic field B 0; at least one gradient coil configured to, when operated, provide spatial encoding of emitted magnetic resonance signals; at least one radio frequency, RF, component configured to acquire, when operated, the emitted magnetic resonance signals; and a B 0 magnet configured to produce a low-field main magnetic field B 0; at least one gradient coil configured to, when operated, provide spatial encoding of emitted magnetic resonance signals; at least one radio frequency, RF, component configured to acquire, when operated, the emitted magnetic resonance signals; and at least one controller configured to operate one or more of the plurality of magnetics components in accordance with at least one pulse sequence having a diffusion-weighted gradient encoding period followed by multiple echo periods (240, 250) during which magnetic resonance signals are produced and detected, wherein: at least two of the multiple echo periods correspond to respective encoded echoes having an opposite gradient polarity, the multiple echo periods include a first echo period during which a first encoded echo has a first gradient polarity and a second echo period immediately following the first echo period during which a second encoded echo has a second gradient polarity opposite the first gradient polarity, the at least one pulse sequence further comprises an RF pulse followed by a readout period, wherein the readout period overlaps in time with the diffusion-weighted gradient encoding period, and the diffusion-weighted gradient encoding period includes a diffusion-weighted gradient pulse with asymmetrical attack and decay edges such that the diffusion-weighted gradient pulse is not trapezoidal shaped, wherein the attack edge of the diffusion-weighted gradient pulse has a slope that varies. at least two of the multiple echo periods correspond to respective encoded echoes having an opposite gradient polarity, the multiple echo periods include a first echo period during which a first encoded echo has a first gradient polarity and a second echo period immediately following the first echo period during which a second encoded echo has a second gradient polarity opposite the first gradient polarity, the at least one pulse sequence further comprises an RF pulse followed by a readout period, wherein the readout period overlaps in time with the diffusion-weighted gradient encoding period, and the diffusion-weighted gradient encoding period includes a diffusion-weighted gradient pulse with asymmetrical attack and decay edges such that the diffusion-weighted gradient pulse is not trapezoidal shaped, wherein the attack edge of the diffusion-weighted gradient pulse has a slope that varies.