A fuzzy inference method for image fusion/refinement of CT images from incomplete data.

The quality of computed-tomography (CT) images deteriorates when images are reconstructed from incomplete data. This work makes use of the knowledge inherent in the membership functions and the logical rules of a fuzzy inference system (FIS) to compensate for the missing data. It is shown that a fuzzy inference system can be used to improve the quality of reconstructed CT images, particularly when the images are reconstructed from incomplete data.

Imaging with naturally occurring radiation.

Considerable progress has been recently made on using naturally occurring radiation in the form of muons and neutrinos in a wide range of applications. However, since the discovery of radioactivity, natural radiation has found a number of imaging applications in a variety of fields. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the many applications in which radiation emitted from naturally-occurring radioactive materials is used to image materials and structures, as well as to review the recent progress in cosmic-radiation imaging.

Calibration-free quantification of interior properties of porous media with x-ray computed tomography.

A method is presented for interpreting the values of x-ray attenuation coefficients reconstructed in computed tomography of porous media, while overcoming the ambiguity caused by the multichromatic nature of x-rays, dilution by void, and material heterogeneity. The method enables determination of porosity without relying on calibration or image segmentation or thresholding to discriminate pores from solid material. It distinguishes between solution-accessible and inaccessible pores, and provides the spatial and frequency distributions of solid-matrix material in a heterogeneous medium.

Refining a region-of-interest within an available CT image.

This paper describes a numerical method for refining the image of a region-of-interest (RoI) within an existing tomographic slice, provided that projection data are stored along with the image. Using the attributes of the image, projection values (ray-sums) are adjusted to compensate for the material outside the RoI. Advantage is taken of the high degree of overdetermination of common computed tomography systems to reconstruct an RoI image over smaller pixels.

Three dimensional imaging of porosity and tracer concentration distributions in a dolostone sample during diffusion experiments using X-ray micro-CT.

X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) techniques for measuring the three-dimensional (3-D) distributions of diffusion-accessible porosity (φ(d)) and temporal tracer-concentrations (C(t)) within a dolostone sample subjected to solute diffusion are developed and tested in this work. The φ(d) and C(t) measurements are based on spatially resolved changes in X-ray attenuation coefficients in sequentially acquired 3-D micro-CT datasets using two (calibration and relative) analytical approaches. The measured changes in X-ray attenuation coefficient values are a function of the mass of X-ray absorbing potassium-iodide tracer present in voxels.

The physical and mathematical aspects of inverse problems in radiation detection and applications.

The inverse problem is the problem of converting detectable measurements into useful quantifiable indications. It is the problem of spectrum unfolding, image reconstruction, identifying a threat material, or devising a radiotherapy plan. The solution of an inverse problem requires a forward model that relates the quantities of interest to measurements.

Thickness measurement of organic films using Compton scattering of characteristic X-rays.

An X-ray scattering method is presented for determining the thickness of an organic film placed on a steel substrate. The strong peaks of characteristic X-rays are taken as an advantage to measure the intensity of backscattered photons. It is shown that the intensity of Compton scattering of characteristic X-rays is proportional to film thickness, up to the thickness of 250 μm of acrylic adhesive layers.

Measurement of spatial distribution of total and accessible porosity in sedimentary rocks using isotopic radiation transmission: device design and testing.

An isotopic radiation transmission technique for quantifying the spatial distribution of porosity in sedimentary rocks is presented. A device was designed and constructed to examine rock samples of volumes sufficiently large for studying solute migration in rocks, so that a one-millimeter spatial resolution is attained with measurement acquisition time of one point per second. The paper demonstrates how the device was optimized for these specifications, while abiding by the restrictions implicit in the utilization of the exponential law of radiation attenuation to quantify physical parameters.

Flaw detection by spatially coded backscatter radiography.

Backscatter imaging is useful for inspecting structures that are accessible only from one side. However, indications provided by scattered radiation are typically weak, convoluted and difficult to interpret. This paper explores the use of the coded aperture technique to detect flaws using gamma-ray backscatter imaging.

Use of isotopic gamma sources for identifying anti-personnel landmines.

Density is one of the indicators that can be utilized to distinguish an explosive material from an innocuous anomaly. Compton scattering of photons can be used to provide such density indication. Although X-rays have been employed for this purpose, isotopic gamma-rays offer some advantage for use in a portable device, because of their small size and self-powered nature.

A three-dimensional x-ray scattering system for multi-parameter imaging of the human head.

This work examines the suitability of a non-rotating one-side 3D x-ray scatter system for imaging the human head. The system simultaneously produces images of the x-ray attenuation coefficients at two photon energies, as well as an image of the electron density. The system relies on measuring the scattered radiation at two directions orthogonal to an incident beam that scans the object from one side, in addition to the traditionally recorded transmitted radiation.