PSF-Radon transform algorithm: Measurement of the point-spread function from the Radon transform of the line-spread function

Microsc Res Tech. 2024 Feb 28. doi: 10.1002/jemt.24526. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

In this article, we present a new method called point spread function (PSF)-Radon transform algorithm. This algorithm consists on recovering the instrument PSF from the Radon transform (in the line direction axis) of the line spread function (i.e., the image of a line). We present the method and tested with synthetic images, and real images from macro lens camera and microscopy. A stand-alone program along with a tutorial is available, for any interested user, in Martinez (PSF-Radon transform algorithm, standalone program). RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Determining the instrument PSF is a key issue. Precise PSF determinations are mandatory if image improvement is performed numerically by deconvolution. Much less exposure time to achieve the same performance than a measurement of the PSF from a very small bead. Does not require having to adjust the PSF by an analytical function to overcome the noise uncertainties.

Keywords: Radon transform; image resolution; line spread function; microscopy; point spread function.