Coded-Mask Imaging in Gamma-Ray Astronomy - Separating the Real and Imaginary parts of a Complex subject

TL;DR

This paper reviews coded mask imaging in gamma-ray astronomy, focusing on image reconstruction techniques and their application to real instruments like Integral, highlighting practical complexities beyond idealized models.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of coded mask imaging techniques and discusses their implementation in real gamma-ray instruments, emphasizing practical challenges.

Findings

Image reconstruction techniques are complex in real instruments.

Practical implementation differs significantly from idealized models.

Integral's instruments exemplify real-world challenges.

Abstract

The concept of coded mask imaging in theory and in practice is reviewed, with particular emphasis on image reconstruction techniques. The techniques are simple in principle but become more complicated when one takes into account real, `as-built', instruments, as opposed to idealised imaginary ones. Procedures are discussed with particular reference to the instruments of Integral.