Three-dimensional volumetric deconvolution in coherent optics and holography

Area of Science:

• Optical physics
• Image processing
• Holography

Background:

• Accurate reconstruction of 3D sample distributions from optical wavefronts is crucial.
• Existing deconvolution methods face challenges with complex-valued and extended samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present and evaluate methods for three-dimensional deconvolution (3DD) of complex-valued optical wavefronts.
• To address the quantitative correctness of recovered 3D sample distributions.
• To demonstrate resolution improvements using 3DD.

Main Methods:

• Non-iterative (Wiener filter) 3DD for point-like objects.
• Iterative (Gold, Richardson-Lucy) 3DD for continuous and complex-valued samples.
• Analysis of quantitative correctness and resolution enhancement.

Main Results:

• Non-iterative 3DD can retrieve point-like objects.
• Iterative 3DD is required for quantitatively correct retrieval of extended and complex-valued samples.
• 3DD improves lateral resolution to the limit and axial resolution by at least four times.

Conclusions:

• Iterative 3DD with optimal protocols enables quantitatively correct 3D sample recovery.
• 3DD significantly enhances both lateral and axial resolution in optical imaging.
• The presented 3DD methods are applicable to 3D optical imaging and holography of complex-valued fields.