Filtered-backprojection and the exponential Radon transform (Q1825400)

The paper is concerned with the inversion of generalized Radon transforms \(R_{\mu}f(\phi,t)=\int f(x)\mu (\phi,x)\rho (t-<x,\phi >)dx,\) where \(\mu\) is a positive, continuous function on \(S^{n-1}\times {\mathbb{R}}^ n.\) It is first shown that an approximate inversion formula of the form \(f*E=R^ t_{\nu}(R_{\mu}f*K),\) where \(E=R^ tK\) exists only for the exponential Radon transform; i.e., \(\mu (\phi,x)=\exp (<m(\phi),x>).\) Then \(\nu (\phi,x)=\exp (-<\mu (\phi),x>).\) The exponential Radon transform is the mathematical model in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). This formula allows to choose an approximative delta function E and to construct a convolution kernel K for the inversion. Then continuity results and a generalized projection theorem are given, where the Fourier transform of f is related to the exponential Radon transform, see also \textit{F. Natterer} [Numer. Math. 32, 431-438 (1979; Zbl 0427.65082)]. Finally, in the last section of the paper existence and regularity of filters K are shown, when E is an \(L^ 1({\mathbb{R}}^ n)\) function with mean value 1. This is achieved by showing the equivalence of Sobolev norms of f and of \(R_{\mu}f\) with different indices.