This book covers both the mathematics of inverse problems and optical systems design, and includes a review of the mathematical methods and Fourier optics. The first part of the book deals with the mathematical tools in detail with minimal assumption about prior knowledge on the part of the reader. The second part of the book discusses concepts in optics, particularly propagation of optical waves and coherence properties of optical fields that form the basis of the computational models used for image recovery. The third part provides a discussion of specific imaging systems that illustrate the power of the hybrid computational imaging model in enhancing imaging performance. A number of exercises are provided for readers to develop further understanding of computational imaging. While the focus of the book is largely on optical imaging systems, the key concepts are discussed in a fairly general manner so as to provide useful background for understanding the mechanisms of a diverse range of imaging modalities.

The book is designed to serve as a textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in physics and electronics and communication engineering and mathematics. The book provides an introduction to Fourier optics in light of new developments in the area of computational imaging over the last couple of decades. There is an in-depth discussion of mathematical methods such as Fourier analysis, linear systems theory, random processes, and optimization-based image reconstruction techniques. These techniques are very much essential for a better understanding of the working of computational imaging systems. It discusses topics in Fourier optics, e.g., diffraction phenomena, coherent and incoherent imaging systems, and some aspects of coherence theory. These concepts are then used to describe several system ideas that combine optical hardware design and image reconstruction algorithms, such as digital holography, iterative phase retrieval, super-resolution imaging, point spread function engineering for enhanced depth-of-focus, projection-based imaging, single-pixel or ghost imaging, etc. The topics covered in this book can provide an elementary introduction to the exciting area of computational imaging for students who may wish to work with imaging systems in their future careers.