DiriNet:An Estimation Network for Spectral Response Function and Point Spread Function

Hyper-and multi-spectral image fusion is an important technology to produce hyper-spectral and hyper-resolution images,which always depends on the spectral response function andthe point spread function.However,few works have been payed on the estimation of the two degra-dation functions.To learn the two functions from image pairs to be fused,we propose a Dirichletnetwork,where both functions are properly constrained.Specifically,the spatial response function isconstrained with positivity,while the Dirichlet distribution along with a total variation is imposedon the point spread function.To the best of our knowledge,the neural network and the Dirichlet regularization are exclusively investigated,for the first time,to estimate the degradation functions.Both image degradation and fusion experiments demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of theproposed Dirichlet network.

Plasmon point spread functions： How do we model plasmon-mediated emission processes？

A major challenge with studying plasmon-mediated emission events is the small size of plasmonic nanoparticles relative to the wavelength of light. Objects smaller than roughly half the wavelength of light will appear as diffraction-limited spots in far-field optical images, presenting a significant experimental challenge for studying plasmonic processes on the nanoscale. Super-resolution imaging has recently been applied to plasmonic nanosystems and allows plasmon-mediated emission to be resolved on the order of ~5 nm. In super-resolution imaging, a diffraction-limited spot is fit to some model function in order to calculate the position of the emission centroid, which represents the loca- tion of the emitter. However, the accuracy of the centroid position strongly depends on how well the fitting function describes the data. This Perspective discusses the commonly used two-dimensional Gaussian fitting function applied to super-resolution imaging of plasmon-mediated emission, then introduces an alternative model based on dipole point spread flmctions. The two fitting models are compared and contrasted for super-resolution imaging of nanoparticle scattering/luminescence, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and surface-enhanced fluorescence.

PET image reconstruction with a system matrix containing point spread function derived from single photon incidence response

A point spread function（PSF） for the blurring component in positron emission tomography（PET） is studied. The PSF matrix is derived from the single photon incidence response function. A statistical iterative reconstruction（IR） method based on the system matrix containing the PSF is developed. More specifically, the gamma photon incidence upon a crystal array is simulated by Monte Carlo（MC） simulation, and then the single photon incidence response functions are calculated. Subsequently, the single photon incidence response functions are used to compute the coincidence blurring factor according to the physical process of PET coincidence detection. Through weighting the ordinary system matrix response by the coincidence blurring factors, the IR system matrix containing the PSF is finally established. By using this system matrix, the image is reconstructed by an ordered subset expectation maximization（OSEM） algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed system matrix can substantially improve the image radial resolution, contrast,and noise property. Furthermore, the simulated single gamma-ray incidence response function depends only on the crystal configuration, so the method could be extended to any PET scanner with the same detector crystal configuration.

Bistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar Point Spread Function Characteristic Analysis

Based on the point spread function （PSF） theory, the side-lobe extension direction of the impulse response in bistatic synthetic aperture radar （BSAR） is analyzed in detail; in addition, the corresponding autofocus in BSAR should be considered along iso-range direction, not the traditional azimuth resolution （AR） direction. The conclusion is verified by the computer simulation.

A Knife-edge Input Point Spread Function Estimation Method for Document Images

In this paper the progress of document image Point Spread Function （PSF） estimation will be presented. At the beginning of the paper, an overview of PSF estimation methods will be introduced and the reason why knife-edge input PSF estimation method is chosen will be explained. Then in the next section, the knife-edge input PSF estimation method will be detailed. After that, a simulation experiment is performed in order to verify the implemented PSF estimation method. Based on the simulation experiment, in next section we propose a procedure that makes automatic PSF estimation possible. A real document image is firstly taken as an example to illustrate the procedure and then be restored with the estimated PSF and Lucy-Richardson deconvolution method, and its OCR accuracy before and after deconvolution will be compared. Finally, we conclude the paper with the outlook for the future work.

Analyzing the Effect of the Intra-Pixel Position of Small PSFs for Optimizing the PL of Optical Subpixel Localization

Subpixel localization techniques for estimating the positions of point-like images captured by pixelated image sensors have been widely used in diverse optical measurement fields.With unavoidable imaging noise,there is a precision limit(PL)when estimating the target positions on image sensors,which depends on the detected photon count,noise,point spread function(PSF)radius,and PSF’s intra-pixel position.Previous studies have clearly reported the effects of the first three parameters on the PL but have neglected the intra-pixel position information.Here,we develop a localization PL analysis framework for revealing the effect of the intra-pixel position of small PSFs.To accurately estimate the PL in practical applications,we provide effective PSF(e PSF)modeling approaches and apply the Cramér–Rao lower bound.Based on the characteristics of small PSFs,we first derive simplified equations for finding the best PL and the best intra-pixel region for an arbitrary small PSF;we then verify these equations on real PSFs.Next,we use the typical Gaussian PSF to perform a further analysis and find that the final optimum of the PL is achieved at the pixel boundaries when the Gaussian radius is as small as possible,indicating that the optimum is ultimately limited by light diffraction.Finally,we apply the maximum likelihood method.Its combination with e PSF modeling allows us to successfully reach the PL in experiments,making the above theoretical analysis effective.This work provides a new perspective on combining image sensor position control with PSF engineering to make full use of information theory,thereby paving the way for thoroughly understanding and achieving the final optimum of the PL in optical localization.

Single exposure passive three-dimensional information reconstruction based on an ordinary imaging system

Existing three-dimensional(3D) imaging technologies have issues such as requiring active illumination, multiple exposures, or coding modulation. We propose a passive single 3D imaging method based on an ordinary imaging system.Using the point spread function of the imaging system to realize the non-coding measurement on the target, the full-focus images and depth information of the 3D target can be extracted from a single two-dimensional(2D) image through the compressed sensing algorithm. Simulation and experiments show that this approach can complete passive 3D imaging based on an ordinary imaging system without any coding operations. This method can achieve millimeter-level vertical resolution under single exposure conditions and has the potential for real-time dynamic 3D imaging. It improves the efficiency of 3D information detection, reduces the complexity of the imaging system, and may be of considerable value to the field of computer vision and other related applications.

Impact of random and scattered coincidences from outside of field of view on positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging with different reconstruction protocols

Image quality in positron emission tomography(PET)is affected by random and scattered coincidences and reconstruction protocols.In this study,we investigated the effects of scattered and random coincidences from outside the field of view(FOV)on PET image quality for different reconstruction protocols.Imaging was performed on the Discovery 690 PET/CT scanner,using experimental configurations including the NEMA phantom(a body phantom,with six spheres of different sizes)with a signal background ratio of 4:1.The NEMA phantom(phantom I)was scanned separately in a one-bed position.To simulate the effect of random and scatter coincidences from outside the FOV,six cylindrical phantoms with various diameters were added to the NEMA phantom(phantom II).The 18 emission datasets with mean intervals of 15 min were acquired(3 min/scan).The emission data were reconstructed using different techniques.The image quality parameters were evaluated by both phantoms.Variations in the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)in a 28-mm(10-mm)sphere of phantom II were 37.9%(86.5%)for ordered-subset expectation maximization(OSEM-only),36.8%(81.5%)for point spread function(PSF),32.7%(80.7%)for time of flight(TOF),and 31.5%(77.8%)for OSEM+PSF+TOF,respectively,indicating that OSEM+PSF+TOF reconstruction had the lowest noise levels and lowest coefficient of variation(COV)values.Random and scatter coincidences from outside the FOV induced lower SNR,lower contrast,and higher COV values,indicating image deterioration and significantly impacting smaller sphere sizes.Amongst reconstruction protocols,OSEM+PSF+TOF and OSEM+PSF showed higher contrast values for sphere sizes of 22,28,and 37 mm and higher contrast recovery coefficient values for smaller sphere sizes of 10 and 13 mm.

Analysis of the optical quality by determining the modulation transfer function for anterior corneal surface in myopes

AIM: To describe the characteristics of modulation transfer function (MTF) of anterior corneal surface, and obtain the the normal reference range of MTF at different spatial frequencies and optical zones of the anterior corneal surface in myopes. METHODS: Four hundred eyes from 200 patients were examined under SIRIUS corneal topography system. Phoenis analysis software was applied to simulate the MTF curves of anterior corneal surface at vertical and horizontal meridians at the 3, 4, 5, 6, 7mm optical zones of cornea. The MTF values at spatial frequencies of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 cycles/degree (c/d) were selected. RESULTS: The MTF curve of anterior corneal surface decreased rapidly from low to intermediate frequency (0-15cpd) at various optical zones of cornea, the value decreased to 0 slowly at higher frequency (>15cpd). With the increase of the optical zones of cornea, MTF curve decreased gradually. 3) In the range of 3 mm- 6 mm optical zones of the cornea, the MTF values measured at horizontal meridian were greater than the corresponding values at horizontal meridian of each spatial frequency, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). At 7 mm optical zones of cornea, the MTF values measured at horizontal meridian were less than the corresponding values at vertical meridian at 10-60 spatial frequencies (cpd), and the difference was statistically significant in 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 cpd(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: MTF can be used to describe the imaging quality of optical systems at anterior corneal surface objectively in detail.

Broadband seismic illumination and resolution analyses based on staining algorithm

Seismic migration moves reflections to their true subsurface positions and yields seismic images of subsurface areas. However, due to limited acquisition aperture, complex overburden structure and target dipping angle, the migration often generates a distorted image of the actual subsurface structure. Seismic illumination and resolution analyses provide a quantitative description of how the above-mentioned factors distort the image. The point spread function （PSF） gives the resolution of the depth image and carries full information about the factors affecting the quality of the image. The staining algorithm establishes a correspondence between a certain structure and its relevant wavefield and reflected data. In this paper, we use the staining algorithm to calculate the PSFs, then use these PSFs for extracting the acquisition dip response and correcting the original depth image by deconvolution. We present relevant results of the SEG salt model. The staining algorithm provides an efficient tool for calculating the PSF and for conducting broadband seismic illumination and resolution analyses.

Numerical study of point spread function of a fast neutron radiography system based on scintillating-fiber array

For a scintillating-fiber array fast-neutron radiography system,a point-spread-function computing model was introduced,and the simulation code was developed. The results of calculation show that fast-neutron radiographs vary with the size of fast neutron sources,the size of fiber cross-section and the imaging geometry. The results suggest that the following qualifications are helpful for a good point spread function: The cross-section of scintillating fibers not greater than 200 μm×200 μm,the size of neutron source as small as a few millimeters,the distance between the source and the scintillating fiber array greater than 1 m,and inspected samples placed as close as possible to the array. The results give suggestions not only to experiment considerations but also to the estimation of spatial resolution for a specific system.

ROV Based Underwater Blurred Image Restoration

In this paper, we present a method of ROV based image processing to restore underwater blurry images from the theory of light and image transmission in the sea. Computer is used to simulate the maximum detection range of the ROV under different water body conditions. The receiving irradiance of the video camera at different detection ranges is also calculated. The ROV’s detection performance under different water body conditions is given by simulation. We restore the underwater blurry images using the Wiener filter based on the simulation. The Wiener filter is shown to be a simple useful method for underwater image restoration in the ROV underwater experiments. We also present examples of restored images of an underwater standard target taken by the video camera in these experiments.

A phase model for point spread function estimation in ground-based astronomy

In ground-based astronomy, images of objects in outer space are acquired via ground-based tele- scopes. However, the imaging system is generally interfered by atmospheric turbulence and hence images so acquired are blurred with unknown point spread function （PSF）. To restore the observed images, aberration of the wavefront at the telescope＇s aperture, i.e., the phase, is utilized to derive the PSF. However, the phase is not readily available. Instead, its gradients can be collected by wavefront sensors. Thus the usual approach is to use regularization methods to reconstruct high-resolution phase gradients and then use them to recover the phase in high accuracy. Here, we develop a model that reconstructs the phase directly. The proposed model uses the tight frame regularization and it can be solved efficiently by the Douglas-Rachford alternating direction method of multipliers whose convergence has been well established. Numerical results illustrate that our new model is efficient and gives more accurate estimation for the PSF.

Point spread function modeling and image restoration for cone-beam CT

X-ray cone-beam computed tomography （CT） has such notable features as high efficiency and precision, and is widely used in the fields of medical imaging and industrial non-destructive testing, but the inherent imaging degradation reduces the quality of CT images. Aimed at the problems of projection image degradation and restoration in cone-beam CT, a point spread function （PSF） modeling method is proposed first. The general PSF model of cone- beam CT is established, and based on it, the PSF under arbitrary scanning conditions can be calculated directly for projection image restoration without the additional measurement, which greatly improved the application convenience of cone-beam CT. Secondly, a projection image restoration algorithm based on pre-filtering and pre-segmentation is proposed, which can make the edge contours in projection images and slice images clearer after restoration, and control the noise in the equivalent level to the original images. Finally, the experiments verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methods.

Effects of mask-alignment error on point spread function for multi-level Fresnel diffractive lenses

The full aperture complex amplitude transmittance function of a multi-level diffraction lens with mask- alignment errors was derived based on scalar diffraction theory. The point spread function （PSF） was calculated by the Kirchhoff diffraction integral. It is found that the radius of the Airy disk increases with the increase of the error in the direction of misalignment, and the image center shifts along the direction of misalignment. A fourlevel diffractive lens with a diameter of 80 mm was fabricated, and its PSF and diffraction efficiency of ＋1st order were calculated and measured. The distribution of PSF is consistent with the calculated results, and the tested diffraction efficiency is slightly smaller than the calculated value; the relative error is 5.71%.

Parameter recognition for defocus blur image using cepstrum analysis

Successful restoration of blurred images depends primarily on the knowledge about the degradationparameter.Defocus blur model in the frequency domain is characterized by concentric rings and the blurradius of the point spread function(PSF)can be identified conveniently in the frequency field for peopleby manual means rather than for computer.This paper introduces a practical method for computer to esti-mate the defocus blur parameter in cepstrum area.Fourier transform plays an intermediate role in the pathto cepstrum domain.We suggest a weighted adjustment operation in the frequency domain and then con-vert it to the cepstrum field to increase the accuracy of recognition.

Resolution enhancement of optical scanning holography with a spiral modulated point spread function

In optical scanning holography, one pupil produces a spherical wave and another produces a plane wave. They interfere with each other and result in a fringe pattern for scanning a three-dimensional object. The resolution of the hologram reconstruction is affected by the point spread function(PSF) of the optical system. In this paper, we modulate the PSF by a spiral phase plate, which significantly enhances the lateral and depth resolution. We explain the theory for such resolution enhancement and show simulation results to verify the efficacy of the approach.

Reduced aliasing artifacts using shaking projection k-space sampling trajectory

Radial imaging techniques, such as projection-reconstruction （PR）, are used in magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） for dynamic imaging, angiography, and short-T2 imaging. They are less sensitive to flow and motion artifacts, and support fast imaging with short echo times. However, aliasing and streaking artifacts are two main sources which degrade radial imaging quality. For a given fixed number of k-space projections, data distributions along radial and angular directions will influence the level of aliasing and streaking artifacts. Conventional radial k-space sampling trajectory introduces an aliasing artifact at the first principal ring of point spread function （PSF）. In this paper, a shaking projection （SP） k-space sampling trajectory was proposed to reduce aliasing artifacts in MR images. SP sampling trajectory shifts the projection alternately along the k-space center, which separates k-space data in the azimuthal direction. Simulations based on conventional and SP sampling trajectories were compared with the same number projections. A significant reduction of aliasing artifacts was observed using the SP sampling trajectory. These two trajectories were also compared with different sampling frequencies. ASP trajectory has the same aliasing character when using half sampling frequency （or half data） for reconstruction. SNR comparisons with different white noise levels show that these two trajectories have the same SNR character. In conclusion, the SP trajectory can reduce the aliasing artifact without decreasing SNR and also provide a way for undersampling recon- struction. Furthermore, this method can be applied to three-dimensional （3D） hybrid or spherical radial k-space sampling for a more efficient reduction of aliasing artifacts.

Modified Approach to PGA Phase Averaging for ISAR Autofocus

A new approach to phase averaging in phase gradient algorithm (PGA) is proposed, which is based on the fundamental fact that the information of translational phase error is widely contained in every defocused scatterer in ISAR image. The new approach aims to choose strong scatterers for error phase averaging with a threshold rather than just simply to pick out the strongest point in each range cell, which is not necessarily real strong scatterers if in some range cells consists more than one strong scatterer and whereas in other range cells no scatterer at all. The results of processing real data are presented to confirm the validity of the proposed approach.

Depth Estimation from a Single Image Based on Cauchy Distribution Model

Most approaches to estimate a scene’s 3D depth from a single image often model the point spread function (PSF) as a 2D Gaussian function. However, those methods are suffered from some noises, and difficult to get a high quality of depth recovery. We presented a simple yet effective approach to estimate exactly the amount of spatially varying defocus blur at edges, based on a Cauchy distribution model for the PSF. The raw image was re-blurred twice using two known Cauchy distribution kernels, and the defocus blur amount at edges could be derived from the gradient ratio between the two re-blurred images. By propagating the blur amount at edge locations to the entire image using the matting interpolation, a full depth map was then recovered. Experimental results on several real images demonstrated both feasibility and effectiveness of our method, being a non-Gaussian model for DSF, in providing a better estimation of the defocus map from a single un-calibrated defocused image. These results also showed that our method was robust to image noises, inaccurate edge location and interferences of neighboring edges. It could generate more accurate scene depth maps than the most of existing methods using a Gaussian based DSF model.