Reconstruction of spherically symmetric objects from slit-imaged emission: limitations due to finite slit width

A simple method for reconstructing spherically symmetric objects from slit-imaged emission was recently described by Vest and Steel. Although this method is valid for infinitesimal slit widths and practically noise-free irradiance data, it is shown here that its validity does not extend to slits of practical width in the laser-fusion program. However, a method is given for reducing the Vest-Steel plots with practical apertures to obtain information on core diameter, shell diameter, and shell thickness.