Direct algebraic reconstruction and optimal sampling in vector field tomography

Vector field tomography has been proven to be a very powerful technique for the noninvasive determination of vector field distribution such as in the case of a fluid velocity field. We show that classical tomographic sampling conditions ran essentially be applied to vector field tomography. Thus, essentially the same sampling schemes are obtained, and the interlaced scheme is also shown to be the most efficient scheme in vector field tomography. We then propose a direct algebraic approach for vector field tomography, with an efficient and robust algorithm for interlaced schemes. Numerical experiments showing the superiority of interlaced schemes are provided