Restoration of Radiographic Neutron Image Using Single-Channel Blind Deconvolution

Abstract

This paper addresses the challenge of accurately estimating the 2D Point Spread Function (PSF) or blur kernel in neutron radiography, where traditional methods, such as the Edge Spread Function (ESF), prove time-consuming and reliant on manual edge selection. The proposed alternative introduces a robust sparse image prior known as the enhanced Patch-Wise Intensity (EPI) image prior in a singlechannel blind deconvolution algorithm, avoiding the need for intricate devices like pinhole or slit phantoms. Leveraging regularization and optimization techniques, the algorithm efficiently estimates PSF in a single image through a multilayer iterative alternating approach. The study aims to enhance PSF accuracy, leading to a more accurate solution to the neutron image restoration problem. Comparative results with real neutron images indicate the proposed method outperforms ESF, demonstrating improved overall image quality both visually and quantitatively in terms of blind/no reference evaluation (BRISQUE).