Iterative blind deconvolution of extended objects

This paper describes a technique for the blind deconvolution of extended objects such as the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), scanning electron and 3D fluorescence microscope images. The blind deconvolution mechanism is based on the Richardson-Lucy (1972, 1974) algorithm and alternates between deconvolution of the image and point spread function (PSF). This form of iterative blind deconvolution differs from that typically employed in that multiple PSF iterations are performed after each image iteration. The initial estimate for the PSF is the autocorrelation of the blurred image and the edges of the image are windowed to minimise wrap around artifacts. Acceleration techniques are employed to speed restoration and results from real HST, electron microscope and 3D fluorescence images are presented.