Analytical algorithm for the generation of polygonal projection data for tomographic reconstruction

Tomographic reconstruction algorithms and filters can be tested using a mathematical phantom, that is, a computer program which takes numerical data as its input and outputs derived projection data. The input data is usually in the form of pixel “densities” over a regular grid, or position and dimensions of simple, geometrical objects. The former technique allows a greater variety of objects to be simulated, but is less suitable in the case when very small (relative to the ray-spacing) features are to be simulated. The second technique is normally used to simulate biological specimens, typically a human skull, modelled as a number of ellipses. This is not suitable for simulating non-biological specimens with features such as straight edges and fine cracks. We have therefore devised an algorithm for simulating objects described as a series of polygons. These polygons, or parts of them, may be smaller than the ray-spacing and there is no limit, except that imposed by computing resources, on the complexity, number or superposition of polygons. A simple test of such a phantom, reconstructed using the filtered back-projection method, revealed reconstruction artefacts not normally seen with “biological” phantoms.