Application of iterative blind deconvolution to the reconstruction of LBT LINC-NIRVANA images

Overview & Synopsis

Context.The paper is about methods for multiple image deconvolution and their application to the reconstruction of the images acquired by the Fizeau interferometer, denoted LINC-NIRVANA, under development for the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). The multiple images of the same target are obtained with different orientations of the baseline. Aims.To propose and develop a blind method for dealing with cases where no knowledge or very poor knowledge of the point spread functions (PSF) is available. Methods.The approach is an iterative one where object and PSFs are alternately updated using deconvolution methods related to the standard Richardson-Lucy method. It is basically an extension, to the multiple image case, of iterative blind deconvolution methods proposed in the case of a single image. Results.The method is applied to simulated LBT LINC-NIRVANA images and its limitations are investigated. The algorithm has been implemented in the module BLI of the software package AIRY (Astronomical Image Reconstruction in interferometrY), available under request. The preliminary results we have obtained are promising but an extensive simulation program is still necessary for a full understanding of the applicability of the method in the practice of the reconstruction of LINC-NIRVANA images.