Generalized radial inversion of 2D potential field data

We introduce a new 2D method for inverting potential field data with model constraints designed by the interpreter. Our method uses an interpretation model consisting of a source with polygonal cross-section whose vertices are described by polar coordinates with an origin inside the source. With this coordinate system, constraints in an inversion are easier to develop and apply. Our inversion method assumes a known physical property contrast for the source and estimates the radii associated with the polygon vertices for a fixed number of equally spaced angles from 0degrees to 360degrees. A wide variety of constraints may be used to stabilize the solutions by introducing information about the source shape. The method recovers stable solutions whose shapes range from almost circular or pear-shaped to elongated in one or more directions. The convexity constraint applied to the source shape, despite requiring no quantitative information, is more versatile than the other constraints. The convexity constraint efficiently recovers source geometries that are either isometric or elongated in one direction.