Three-dimensional vector microwave tomography: theory and computational experiments

Microwave tomography is a new imaging method based on contrast in dielectric properties of materials. The mathematical theory of microwave tomography involves solving an inverse problem for Maxwell's equations. In this paper a new method of solving this inverse problem is presented. Based on the known gradient approach the method has significant advantages that allow us to solve full scale 3D microwave tomographic problems using the vector equations. The results of computational experiments are presented and discussed. Using simulated and experimental data, 3D images of mathematical and physical phantoms are obtained. The results show the abilities of the method to reveal the internal structure of objects in the strong contrast case.