A PIXE micro-tomography experiment using MLEM algorithm

A new approach for PIXE tomography has recently been introduced by our group. The reconstruction program is based on the maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) algorithm. Since the algorithm is built upon the actual stochastic model of X-ray production and propagation, attenuation correction as well as ion energy loss are readily incorporated into the reconstruction. The resultant procedures have been previously tested by using simulated X-ray yields and the results were given in an earlier paper. In this work, we present the results of the tomographic reconstruction of a realistic sample done in order to study the effectiveness of the algorithm.