A magnetic resonance system employs a sequence of radio frequency pulses and magnetic field gradients to detect and measure the spin-relaxation time T.sub.1 of a selected portion of a sample. Spin-lattice relaxation times are determined by first inverting longitudinal spin magnetization and then detecting the recovery of this magnetization with a series of detection radio frequency pulses. The inversion pulse is applied to the entire sample, but the detection pulses are applied to selected portions of the sample. Each detection pulse is applied in a unique location of the sample, thereby increasing the accuracy of the measurement and permitting the use of multiple detection pulses after a single inversion pulse.