Abstract

The techniques for measuring weak magnetic fields have progressed to the point that fields induced by biological currents, e.g., human brain and heart, are recordable. The analysis of the measured data is generally oriented toward parameter extraction rather than toward imaging. In this paper we describe the field generation process in vector-Fourier space. The resulting equations are similar to those encountered in superresolution problems with two differences: (1) there is a coupling between the vector conponents and the sampling, and (2) since only very coarse resolution is required, the usual ill-conditioned behavior of the reconstruction is of reduced importance. After describing the reconstruction process we move to the imaging properties of the system. Assuming a simple measurement geometry, two parallel planes with the object enclosed between them, we derive the coherent transfer function.

© 1985 Optical Society of America