Abstract

Norton and Linzer ¹ have developed an algorithm for computed tomography of refracting media. It is intended to correct to first order for bending of the probing rays due to refractive-index gradients in velocity and attenuation ultrasonic tomography. In the present work the problem and perturbation analysis have been reformulated to apply to tomography of transparent media where data are recorded by optical interferometry, including the effects of an imaging system. Accuracy and limitations of the technique are studied for both 2-D and boundary- layer phase objects. Although more limited than iterative schemes in terms of handling strong refraction, this approach is found to be very simple to apply and adequate for many measurement problems in aerodynamics and heat transfer.

© 1985 Optical Society of America