The Magnetic Inverse Problem for NDE
J.P. Wikswo, Jr.
in SQUID Sensors: Fundamentals, Fabrication and Applications, pp 629-695,
H. Weinstock (ed.) © 1996 Kluwer Acadamic Publishers
A major motivation for the use of SQUID magnetometers for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) is the need to increase the sensitivity or reliability of detection of particular types of flaws, such as hidden cracks or corrosion in the aluminum structure of aircraft. SQUID NDE holds promise over existing NDE techniques because of the combination of sensitivity, spatial resolution, accuracy, noise rejection and frequency response offered by SQUID magnetometers. However, in order to compete commercially with other NDE techniques, it is important that SQUID NDE provide quantitative images that are visually comparable to those provided by ultrasound, x-ray or thermal imaging. This chapter describes how maps of magnetic fields can be converted through a solution to the inverse problem into images of current or magnetic susceptibility. Inverse imaging approaches that have been examined for SQUID NDE include Fourier-transform spatial filtering, lead field analysis, alternating projections and blind deconvolution. More advanced tomographic techniques also are under development: the application of the current from two or more directions, with appropriate analysis algorithms, can provide maps of the conductivity distribution throughout the sample. Similarly, magnetic susceptibility tomography may allow three-dimensional magnetic imaging of diamagnetic and paramagnetic objects.
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