Contrast-enhanced microwave imaging of breast tumors: a computational study using 3-D realistic numerical phantoms

The detection of early-stage tumors in the breast by microwave imaging is challenged by both the moderate endogenous dielectric contrast between healthy and malignant glandular tissues and the spatial resolution available from illumination at microwave frequencies. The high endogenous dielectric contrast between adipose and fibroglandular tissue structures increases the difficulty of tumor detection due to the high dynamic range of the contrast function to be imaged and the low level of signal scattered from a tumor relative to the clutter scattered by normal tissue structures. Microwave inverse scattering techniques, used to estimate the complete spatial profile of the dielectric properties within the breast, have the potential to reconstruct both normal and cancerous tissue structures. However, the ill-posedness of the associated inverse problem often limits the frequency of microwave illumination to the UHF band within which early-stage cancers have sub-wavelength dimensions. In this computational study, we examine the reconstruction of small, compact tumors in three-dimensional numerical breast phantoms by a multiple-frequency inverse scattering solution. Computer models are also employed to investigate the use of exogenous contrast agents for enhancing tumor detection. Simulated array measurements are acquired before and after the introduction of the assumed contrast effects for two specific agents currently under consideration for breast imaging: microbubbles and carbon nanotubes. Differential images of the applied contrast demonstrate the potential of the approach for detecting the preferential uptake of contrast agents by malignant tissues.     

A Study of Parameters that Influence the Accuracy of the Planar Droplet Sizing (PDS) Technique

A combined theoretical and experimental study of the parameters affecting the accuracy of Planar Droplet Sizing (PDS) measurements is presented. The principle of the PDS technique relies on the assumption that the intensity emitted by a fluorescent dye added to a liquid is proportional to the volume of a resulting droplet during atomisation and that the scattered light intensity is proportional to its surface area, allowing measurement of Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) by taking the ratio of these intensities. A geometrical optics light scattering approach was extended to calculate the fluorescence intensity emitted by a droplet, in addition to providing the scattered light intensity integrated over the collection aperture. The theoretical approach quantified the influences of scattering angle, refractive index, droplet size and dye concentration on the PDS technique. Experiments with monodisperse droplet streams confirmed the calculations in terms of dependence of the scattered and fluorescence intensities. The limitations of the technique have been established together with an appropriate calibration procedure for application in dense sprays.     

求解光学CT图象重建问题的广义脉冲谱技术研究

间接法是目前实现医学诊断用近红外光三维成象(光CT)的最有潜力的手段之一.该方法基于以下假设,即给定分别对应于不同点激励源作用下成象组织体表面各点的传输光测量.在组织体内存在着与上述检测量相对应的、唯一的光学参数三维分布.由此,图象重建变成了特定光子传输模型的逆问题.本文提出采用广义脉冲谱技术(Generalized Pulse Spectrum Technique,GPST)进行光学CT图象重建逆问题的求解.给出了GPST在扩散方程光子传输模型逆问题求解中的具体实现,数值实验结果表明,通过选择合适的复频率点,采用GPST算法的图象重建结果优于其它现有算法,且响应时间合理.最后,本文还初步讨论了吸收和散射系数重建中复频率点选择的一些基本原则。     

Supernumerary rainbows in the angular distribution of scattered projectiles for grazing collisions of fast atoms with a LiF(001) surface

Fast atoms with keV energies are scattered under a grazing angle of incidence from a clean and flat LiF(001) surface. For scattering along low index azimuthal directions within the surface plane ("axial surface channeling") we observe pronounced peak structures in the angular distributions for scattered projectiles that are attributed to "supernumerary rainbows." This phenomenon can be understood in the framework of quantum scattering only and is observed here up to projectile energies of 20 keV. We demonstrate that the interaction potential and, in particular, its corrugation for fast atomic projectiles at surfaces can be derived with a high accuracy.     

基于交替隐式有限差分法的快速早期乳腺癌时域微波断层成像

采用时域微波断层成像技术进行早期乳腺癌检测能够准确地获得乳房的电参数分布,具有明确的物理解释和医学诊断价值.临床应用讲究即时性,为了提高检测的速度,本文将交替隐式有限差分法应用到乳腺癌检测中,基于正反演时间步进成像算法进行成像分析,结果显示在保证精度的前提下,采用交替隐式有限差分法的成像时间可缩短为传统时域有限差分法的23%,提高了微波断层成像技术的临床可应用性.     

Resolving Concentrated Particle Size Mixtures Using Dynamic Light Scattering

Dynamic light scattering (DLS) is a technique used for measuring the size of molecules and particles undergoing Brownian motion by observing time‐dependent fluctuations in the intensity of scattered light. The measurement of samples using conventional DLS instrumentation is limited to low concentrations due to the onset of a phenomenon called multiple scattering. The problems of multiple scattering have been addressed in a light scattering instrument incorporating non‐ invasive backscatter optics (NIBS). This novel optic arrangement maximizes the detection of scattered light while maintaining signal quality and allows for measurements of turbid samples. This paper discusses the ability of backscatter detection to accurately determine particle sizes at 1 %w/v sample concentrations and demonstrates the correct resolution of different size populations using a series of latex standard mixtures with known volume ratios. The concentration of 1 %w/v is much higher than can be measured on conventional dynamic light scattering instruments.     

利用声辐射模态重构任意目标的散射声场

水下目标散射声场的重构可以作为水下目标散射特性的研究基础。本文主要利用声辐射模态对水下目标进行散射声场重构研究。首先,在借助声传递矩阵给出的任意结构声辐射模态的流体域求解方法基础上,通过理论证明了目标的散射声压与声辐射模态具有函数关系。其次,借助声场分布模态的概念,同时考虑到声场分布模态病态及声压测量易受噪声污染,提出基于声辐射模态的正则化散射声场重构算法。仿真结果表明,波数越低,重构所需声辐射模态阶数越少,在较高波数时仅需总模态数的大约20%即可对声场进行重构。与基于边界元的声场重构算法相比,计算量减小了至少80%,且克服了赫姆霍兹积分方程最小二乘法仅对球壳结构的重构效果较好而不适用于长条形结构重构的缺陷。     

Acousto-optic-assisted diffuse optical tomography

We introduce and experimentally demonstrate acousto-optic-assisted diffuse optical tomography (DOT) using a holography-based acousto-optic setup. The method is based on probing a scattering medium with a localized acoustical modulation of the phase of the scattered light. The optical properties of the scattering medium are recovered with ultrasound-limited resolution by applying DOT reconstruction methods on a set of the measured intensities of light, modulated at different locations throughout the medium.     

各向异性有耗介质板介电系数和电导率的反演

简述了各向异性介质FDTD方法，并用FDTD方法分析了三维各向异性有耗介质板的瞬态后向散射.根据各向异性介质板后向散射与入射电磁波极化方向有关的特点，利用其后向RCS的谐振特性和后向散射场的时域波形特点反演有耗介质板的横向介电系数和电导率.数值模拟结果表明本反演方法可行，且方便、快捷. 关键词： 各向异性板 FDTD方法 有耗介质 谐振 反演     

Techniques for inelastic X‐ray scattering with μeV‐resolution

A new spectroscopic technique is introduced that allows tuning of a eVwide beam of synchrotron radiation over a range of a few meV. It relies on nuclear resonant scattering that is subject to the Doppler effect in high speed rotary motion. Two mechanisms are discussed how to extract the resonantly scattered radiation out of the broad band of synchrotron radiation: (a) grazing incidence reflection from a rotating disk in combination with a polarization filtering technique and (b) deflection of resonantly scattered radition via the recently discovered Nuclear Lighthouse Effect. Implications for inelastic Xray scattering and elastic nuclear resonant scattering are discussed.     

Energy transfer in hyperthermal Xe-graphite surface scattering

The scattering of a hyperthermal Xe from a graphite (0001) surface has been studied using a molecular beam-surface scattering technique and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The angular and velocity distributions of scattered Xe atoms were measured at incidence energies from 0.45 to 3.5 eV, three incidence angles of 15°, 35° and 60° and the surface temperatures of 300 K and 550 K. The observed time-of-flight spectra exhibit a sharp velocity distribution with only one velocity component, which is ascribed to the direct inelastic scattering process. The angle-resolved energy ratios of the mean final translational energy over the mean incidence energy E_f/E_i agree well with those predicted based on the assumption of the conservation of the momentum parallel to the surface. The Hard-Cube model, where the mass of the cube is approximately 310 u, has reproduced the angle-resolved flux distributions of scattered Xe atoms. In the Hard-Cube model almost 80% of the normal component of the incidence translational energy is found to be lost in collision. The MD simulations reproduce well the experimental results by using the Brenner potential for intralayer C atoms and a Lennard-Jones potential for interlayer C–C pair interactions.     

Linear polarization degree for detecting magnetic properties of small particles

Motivated by the recent advances with magnetic nanoparticles, in this research we propose a new technique for their characterization based on the measurement of certain polarimetric parameters of the scattered light, such as the linear polarization degree when it is determined at a "right-angle" scattering configuration. We will show the sensitivity of its spectral evolution with the magnetic properties of the particle.     

A Compton scattering image reconstruction algorithm based on total variation minimization

Compton scattering imaging is a novel radiation imaging method using scattered photons.Its main characteristics are detectors that do not have to be on the opposite side of the source,so avoiding the rotation process.The reconstruction problem of Compton scattering imaging is the inverse problem to solve electron densities from nonlinear equations,which is ill-posed.This means the solution exhibits instability and sensitivity to noise or erroneous measurements.Using the theory for reconstruction of sparse images,a reconstruction algorithm based on total variation minimization is proposed.The reconstruction problem is described as an optimization problem with nonlinear data-consistency constraint.The simulated results show that the proposed algorithm could reduce reconstruction error and improve image quality,especially when there are not enough measurements.     

Quasimolecular or kinematical broadening of autoionization electron spectra from Li+/He collisions? a coincidence study

We have measured energy- and angular distributions of autoionization electrons from Li⁺/He collisions in coincidence with the scattered Li⁺ projectiles. The coincident energy spectra do not exhibit the broad structures that are observed in the non coincident spectra and which in the past were attributed to quasimolecular autoionization of the (LiHe)⁺ system. We show that these broad structures are caused by kinematical shifts of electron spectra from pure atomic autoionization following different scattering events. With an exploitation of published inelastic differential scattering cross sections and with the assumption that the angular electron distribution with respect to the asymptotic internuclear line is nearly independent of the scattering angle we are able to reproduce the non coincident electron spectra satisfactorily.     

Laser removal of mold growth from paper

Femtosecond laser nano-processing by enhanced light scattered from nanospheres has received much attention. Enhanced scattered near field enables us to ablate nanoholes at nanometer scales below the diffraction limit. In addition, the interference between the scattered far field and the irradiated laser enables us to fabricate spatially controlled periodic surface structures. In this paper, we simulated the time evolution of scattered near field and far field during the free electron excitation in silicon (Si) by femtosecond laser irradiation. The optical property of Si changes from dielectric to metal-like Si due to the increase of the free electron number density excited by femtosecond laser pulse. It is elucidated that the scattered field of Si shifts from Mie scattering to plasmonic scattering during laser irradiation. We achieved the optimal free electron density and laser intensity for precisely controlled periodic surface structures fabrication. We explained the temporal behavior of the scattering near field and far field from the standpoint of dielectric function of the materials.     

Propagation of polarized light in media with large discrete inhomogeneities

An approximate analytical method of solution of the vector radiative-transfer equation for an optically isotropic medium with large-scale inhomogeneities is proposed. The method is based on an assumption about the distinct anisotropy of single scattering. The method was used to calculate the polarization characteristics of light multiply scattered in a monodisperse medium with large spherical particles.     

Three-dimensional elastic wave scattering by a layer containing vertical periodic fractures

Elastic wave scattering off a layer containing a single set of vertical periodic fractures is examined using a numerical technique based on the work of Hennion et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 87, 1861-1870 (1990)]. This technique combines the finite element method and plane wave method to simulate three-dimensional scattering off a two-dimensional fractured layer structure. Each fracture is modeled explicitly, so that the model can simulate both discrete arrivals of scattered waves from individual fractures and multiply scattered waves between the fractures. Using this technique, we examine changes in scattering characteristics of plane elastic waves as a function of wave frequency, angle of incidence, and fracture properties such as fracture stiffness, height, and regular and irregular spacing.     

Enhancement of scattering of surface plasmon polaritons by surface defects: Technique and results

The intensities of scattering of surface plasmon polaritons by regular surface structures significantly exceed (by several orders of magnitude) the intensities of scattering of evanescent surface waves from these structures. When plasmon polaritons are scattered by diffraction grating grooves a few micrometers wide, the scattering from the trailing edge of a grating groove greatly exceeds the scattering level from the groove leading edge. Some of our original developments are presented that make it possible to put into effect an inexpensive software-hardware optical complex with a wide dynamic range, high sensitivity, and digital lock-in detection based on the use of a computer sound card.     

Depolarization of multiply scattered light in transmission through a turbid medium with large particles

An approximate analytical method for solving the vector radiative transfer equation is proposed. The method is based on the assumption that single scattering of light by large-scale inhomogeneities occurs predominantly through small angles. The method is applied to calculate the polarization state of multiply scattered light. The results obtained are discussed for various turbid media.     

Computation of the far-field time domain solution of the scattering problem.

This paper presents a new technique for calculating the time domain (transient) far-field scattered pressure. The scattering problem is divided in two steps; the first step evaluates the field distribution inside the scatterer, and the second step generates the far-field scattered pressure by 3-D Radon transform of these data for each time step and summing over time. The algorithm results in considerable saving in CPU time and memory by simplifying the calculation along the path from scatterer to receiver. This technique can also be used in two dimensions.