Three-dimensional microwave tomography: Experimental prototype of the system and vector born reconstruction method

A method of image reconstruction in three-dimensional (3-D) microwave tomog raphy in a weak dielectric contrast case has been developed. By utilizing o nly one component of the vector electromagnetic field this method allows su ccessful reconstruction of images of 3-D mathematical phantoms, A prototype of the 3-D microwave tomographic system capable of imaging 3-D objects has been constructed. The system operates at a frequency of 2.36 GHz and utili zes a code-division technique. With dimensions of the cylindrical working c hamber z = 40 cm and d = 60 cm, the system allows measurement of an attenua tion up to 120 dB having signal-to-noise ratio about 30 dB, The direct prob lem solutions for different mathematical approaches were compared with an e xperimentally measured field distribution inside the working chamber. The t omographic system and the reconstruction method were tested in simple exper imental imaging.