Urvashi Rau, Introduction to Radio Astronomy for Medical Imaging Professionals

Описание: Image formation in radio astronomy and medical imaging have many interesting parallels in terms of the mathematical structure of the systems of equations being solved. However, the two fields have evolved in somewhat distinct ways. For example, radio interferometry began with sparse measurements in Fourier space and is moving in the direction of larger amounts of data to maximize image sensitivity and Fourier space coverage. Medical imaging on the other hand, has always had full control of the sampling of Fourier space, but due to practical constraints such as patient movement and radiation exposure has been evolving in the direction of sparser measurements. Reconstruction algorithms in both fields have evolved accordingly and range from greedy algorithms based on physical interpretations of measurement equations to formal compressed sensing formulations.

This talk will give an overview of image formation in radio astronomy, arranged as a direct counterpart to the medical imaging talk in today's session, and aimed at setting the stage for a clear illustration of the similarities and differences between the fields. The core content of the talk will cover measurement processes in radio astronomy and interferometry, how this translates to a sampling in Fourier space, and the structure and features of the resulting inverse problem. Along the way, I will include comments about the evolution of observational strategies and reconstruction algorithms in the field, directions of future evolution both algorithmically and in data volume, and aspects of the reconstruction that affect the accuracy and reliability of the final result as viewed by a practicing astronomer.
Video created 10/13/2021