|
Though
virtually all fields of science utilize imaging in some form,
a true science of imaging is now emerging. As noted in the
recent book Foundations
of Image Science by Harrison H. Barrett and Kyle J. Myers,
there are three elements that must be present for a discipline
to be called a science: A common language with an agreed-upon
set of definitions; an accepted set of experimental procedures,
and a theory with predictive value. Perhaps the key step in meeting
the criteria for imaging to be a science was the development of
a rigorous, task-based approach to the definition, measurement
and optimization
of image quality. Other important components of image science
are rigorous mathematical theories of image formation and detection,
analysis of the statistical properties of |
|
 |
images,
careful measurements of the physical properties of imaging
systems and scientific understanding of human perception. The College
of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona now
offers a Ph.
D. track in Image Science and about twenty graduate courses in
the area. Many faculty members from the Radiology Department
contribute to this program by teaching courses and mentoring
graduate students.
For a perspective
on the future of image science, see the Epilogue of Foundations
of Image Science.
|
|
| |
Personnel
Current
research projects in the Radiology Department
relating to the broad area of image science, cutting
across modalities and applications, include:
-
-
-
-
Analysis of dynamic imaging systems
-
Studies of null functions, eigenfunctions and singular
functions of imaging systems
-
Role of positivity in image reconstruction
-
-
-
Parallel computer systems for imaging
|
|
|
