Image Reconstruction Techniques for Compton Scattering Based Imaging: An Overview [Compton Based Image Reconstruction Approaches]

In recent years, more and more detector systems utilizing Compton scattering effect to detect gamma rays have been developed due to their potential for improved image sensitivity. However, the standard non-electron-tracking Compton based detectors can restrict the origin of the photon only to a cone. Therefore, one key challenge in the data analysis process is the reconstruction of the source distribution, from the measured data. Several different techniques have been developed, ranging from basic back-projections, iterative maximum likelihood and Bayesian techniques, as well as stochastic and analytic methods. This paper reviews the existing image reconstruction techniques developed for Compton imaging, their basic approach, their application areas, their restrictions and difficulties.