Iterative Solution Methods for Large, Sparse Systems of Linear Equations Arising from Tomographic Image Reconstruction

The problem of reconstructing an object from its projections can be solved using two different approaches: analytic methods and algebraic methods. Analytic methods, based on integral transforms such as the inverse Radon transform, are considerably more efficient than algebraic methods. In many practical cases, however, such as limited angle tomography or problems where refraction plays an important role, algebraic techniques have to be used.