An open electromagnet including a pair of field coils which respectively comprise juxtaposed poles of the electromagnet between which an imaging volume of substantially homogeneous magnetic field is defined, toroidal shielding coil means arranged on a locus which forms a loop, so that when energized, the said shielding coil means produces a controlling magnetic field which configures a magnetic flux return path for the field coils so that the magnetic flux return path describes the said loop, and a support structure which serves rigidly to support the shielding coil means and the field coils.
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