TABLE OF CONTENTS There are several factors that limit the accuracy of diffraction tomography reconstructions. These limitations are caused both by the approximations that must be made in the derivation of the reconstruction process and the experimental factors.
The mathematical and experimental effects limit the reconstruction in different ways. The most severe mathematical limitations are imposed by the Born and the Rytov approximations. These approximations are fundamental to the reconstruction process and limit the range of objects that can be examined. On the other hand, it is only possible to collect a finite amount of data and this gives rise to errors in the reconstruction which can be attributed to experimental limitations. Up to the limit in resolution caused by evanescent waves, and given a perfect reconstruction algorithm, it is possible to improve a reconstruction by collecting more data. It is important to understand the experimental limitations so that the experimental data can be used efficiently.
Computer simulations were performed to study several questions posed by diffraction tomography. In diffraction tomography there are different approximations involved in the forward and inverse directions. In the forward process it is necessary to assume that the object is weakly scattering so that either the Born or the Rytov approximation can be used. Once an expression for the scattered field is derived it is necessary not only to measure the scattered fields but then numerically implement the inversion process.
By carefully designing the simulations it is possible to separate...
