Parametric blind-deconvolution algorithm to remove image artifacts in hybrid imaging systems

Hybrid imaging systems employing cubic phase modulation in the pupil-plane enable significantly increased depth of field, but artifacts in the recovered images are a major problem. We present a parametric blind-deconvolution algorithm, based on minimization of the high-frequency content of the restored image that enables recovery of artifact-free images for a wide range of defocus. We show that the algorithm enables robust matching of the image recovery kernel with the optical point-spread function to enable, for the first time, optimally low noise levels in recovered images. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America