Poisson phase diversity algorithm with automatic registration for sparse fluorescent images

The phase diversity technique is a powerful tool for aberration detection and high-resolution image restoration. This is achieved by employing a pair of images, one captured in focus and the other with a specific degree of defocus. It presents a practical alternative or complementary method to adaptive optics. This paper introduces a modified phase diversity algorithm based on the Poisson noise model for biological fluorescence imaging with sparse characteristics. The proposed method has demonstrated high-precision aberration estimation and high-resolution image reconstruction. Additionally, an image registration method is proposed for image registration between the focused and defocused images. The simulation analysis and verification of the algorithm were conducted using images of microbeads and HeLa cells. For experimental purposes, actual captured fluorescence microbead images and blurred zebrafish images due to aberrations were selected. Both simulation and experimental results indicate that the method is effective and accurate.