A comparative study of data filtering methods for imaging in strongly scattering media

Abstract

We consider the problem of imaging small defects embedded in strongly scattering media, often called clutter, using an active array of transducers that can play the dual role of emitters and receivers. Our data is the array response matrix collected by sending short pulses from each source and recording the response at all array elements. Imaging in strong clutter is quite challenging as the array data are dominated by noise due to the multiple scattering of the waves with the medium heterogeneities. To successfully image in this regime using simple coherent imaging functionals, we follow the methodology of coherent signal enhancement through data filtering. We study the performance of the different approaches with extensive numerical simulations, carried out in a non-destructive testing setup.