Noise Robustness of a Combined Phase Retrieval and Reconstruction Method for Phase-Contrast Tomography

TL;DR

This paper evaluates a new algebraic method for phase-contrast tomography that combines phase retrieval and reconstruction, showing it is more noise-robust and potentially allows for shorter exposure times compared to traditional two-stage methods.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive comparison demonstrating the superior noise robustness of the combined algebraic method over traditional two-stage approaches.

Findings

The combined method is significantly more robust to noise.

Simulations suggest potential for reducing counting times by an order of magnitude.

The method improves reconstruction quality under noisy conditions.

Abstract

Classical reconstruction methods for phase-contrast tomography consist of two stages: phase retrieval and tomographic reconstruction. A novel algebraic method combining the two was suggested by Kostenko et al. (Opt. Express, 21, 12185, 2013) and preliminary results demonstrating improved reconstruction compared to a two-stage method given. Using simulated free-space propagation experiments with a single sample-detector distance, we thoroughly compare the novel method with the two-stage method to address limitations of the preliminary results. We demonstrate that the novel method is substantially more robust towards noise; our simulations point to a possible reduction in counting times by an order of magnitude.