UWB breast cancer detection with numerical phantom and Vivaldi antenna

A detection algorithm is introduced for breast cancer diagnostics. A coaxial skin+breast tissue phantom has been used for numerical evaluations. The algorithm has been validated with both ideal and realistic sources. In particular, an antipodal Vivaldi antenna operating in the frequency range 1 - 2.5 GHz has been properly optimized for this application. A 5 mm thick tumor has been correctly detected in three different scenarios inside the breast tissue spanning from a subcutaneous to a deeper location.