Resolution in ART: An experimental investigation of the resolving power of an algebraic picture reconstruction technique

Abstract

The resolving power of an algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) for reconstructing objects from electromicrographs and X-ray photographs is demonstrated by a series of experiments. The test data used includes standard test patterns like bar charts, an annulus, a checker board and also printed text and pictures of stomata. It is demonstrated that ART is capable of reconstructing ordinary objects to a good resolution with only a small number of views from a limited range. Excellent resolution is achieved when a few random reconstructions of this type are averaged or if the range of angles is allowed to be large. In particular, it is demonstrated that ART needs two to five times fewer equally spaced angles for good resolution than has been estimated as necessary for the Fourier reconstruction techniques. Time and storage estimates for ART are also given.