Topological derivative-based technique for imaging thin inhomogeneities with few incident directions

Many non-iterative imaging algorithms require a large number of incident directions. Topological derivative-based imaging techniques can alleviate this problem, but lacks a theoretical background and a definite means of selecting the optimal incident directions. In this paper, we rigorously analyse the mathematical structure of a topological derivative imaging function, confirm why a small number of incident directions is sufficient, and explore the optimal configuration of these directions. To this end, we represent the topological derivative-based imaging function as an infinite series of Bessel functions of integer order of the first kind. Our analysis is supported by the results of numerical simulations.