A novel reconstruction technique for two-dimensional Bragg scatter imaging

Here we introduce a new reconstruction technique for two-dimensional Bragg Scattering Tomography (BST), based on the Radon transform models of [arXiv preprint, arXiv:2004.10961 (2020)]. Our method uses a combination of ideas from multibang control and microlocal analysis to construct an objective function which can regularize the BST artifacts; specifically the boundary artifacts due to sharp cutoff in sinogram space (as observed in [arXiv preprint, arXiv:2007.00208 (2020)]), and artifacts arising from approximations made in constructing the model used for inversion. We then test our algorithm in a variety of Monte Carlo (MC) simulated examples of practical interest in airport baggage screening and threat detection. The data used in our studies is generated with a novel Monte-Carlo code presented here. The model, which is available from the authors upon request, captures both the Bragg scatter effects described by BST as well as beam attenuation and Compton scatter.

Microlocal analysis of generalized Radon transforms from scattering tomography

Here we present a novel microlocal analysis of generalized Radon transforms which describe the integrals of $L^2$ functions of compact support over surfaces of revolution of $C^{infty}$ curves $q$. We show that the Radon transforms are elliptic Fourier Integral Operators (FIO) and provide an analysis of the left projections $Pi_L$. Our main theorem shows that $Pi_L$ satisfies the semi-global Bolker assumption if and only if $g=q/q$ is an immersion. An analysis of the visible singularities is presented, after which we derive novel Sobolev smoothness estimates for the Radon FIO. Our theory has specific applications of interest in Compton Scattering Tomography (CST) and Bragg Scattering Tomography (BST). We show that the CST and BST integration curves satisfy the Bolker assumption and provide simulated reconstructions from CST and BST data. Additionally we give example sinusoidal integration curves which do not satisfy Bolker and provide simulations of the image artefacts. The observed artefacts in reconstruction are shown to align exactly with our predictions.

Bragg scattering tomography

Here we introduce a new forward model and imaging modality for Bragg Scattering Tomography (BST). The model we propose is based on an X-ray portal scanner with linear detector collimation, currently being developed for use in airport baggage screening. The geometry under consideration leads us to a novel two-dimensional inverse problem, where we aim to reconstruct the Bragg scattering differential cross section function from its integrals over a set of symmetric $C^2$ curves in the plane. The integral transform which describes the forward problem in BST is a new type of Radon transform, which we introduce and denote as the Bragg transform. We provide new injectivity results for the Bragg transform here, and describe how the conditions of our theorems can be applied to assist in the machine design of the portal scanner. Further we provide an extension of our results to $n$-dimensions, where a generalization of the Bragg transform is introduced. Here we aim to reconstruct a real valued function on $mathbb{R}^{n+1}$ from its integrals over $n$-dimensional surfaces of revolution of $C^2$ curves embedded in $mathbb{R}^{n+1}$. Injectivity proofs are provided also for the generalized Bragg transform.