Algebraic image reconstruction for muon scattering computed tomography without tracing

Abstract

We have developed a new algebraic image reconstruction algorithm for muon scattering computed tomography. In this method, the track of a muon is recorded by suitable detectors before and after passing an object of interest, and the total scattering of the muon in the object is determined by comparing the incoming and outgoing tracks. From a certain minimum number of muons, the scattering density distribution of the object can be reconstructed from the measurement data. In contrast to other reconstruction algorithms, our approach does not estimate the unknown muon track in the object, which minimizes systematic errors for objects with complex geometries. In this paper, the new algorithm is derived, analyzed with respect to freely selectable parameters, and tested on simulation data for a virtual phantom. The results are compared with an existing algebraic reconstruction algorithm.