Full-wave computed tomography. Part 1: Fundamental theory

The definition of computed tomography (CT) is generalised to the formation, from data gathered using any appropriate physical process, of a clean image of a cross-section of a body. The theory is based on a canonical partial differential equation of second-order, so that the existence of reflection, refraction, scattering and diffusion is recognised implicitly from the outset. It is shown that the mathematical physics of many technically important physical processes can be reduced to canonical form. The general CT problem is formulated, and a new exact solution is developed. The significance of this solution is assessed, as is its relation to established approximate solutions.