This laboratory exercise uses standard physics laboratory equipment to create an analogy to image formation in Computed Tomography. Objects are placed in an enclosure that is largely opaque in the visible spectrum but mostly transparent to the near infrared light.  The enclosure is scanned with a photogate using a rotating platform and an image of the contents is formed. This experiment conveys how an image is formed during a CT scan and highlights the important physical and imaging concepts behind CT such as electromagnetic radiation, the interaction of light and matter, image artifacts, and windowing. Resources provided include learning goals, an assessment, software for creating images, and instructions for assembling the equipment.

This is part of a group of laboratories and activities for biomedical physics.