ZRID-Net: Zero-Reference Real-World Image Dehazing Framework via Deep Self-Decoupling and Reverse Knowledge Transfer

This paper investigates one of the most challenging problems in single image dehazing: how to restore haze-free scenes solely from the input observed image without relying on paired or unpaired images and how to extract useful prior information from the observed image to guide the dehazing process. To address these challenges, this paper introduces a novel zero-reference real-world image dehazing method via deep self-decoupling and reverse knowledge transfer (ZRID-Net). Specifically, we first employ a model-driven approach to preliminarily decouple the observed image into coarse-grained components: the haze-free image, transmission map, and atmospheric light. Subsequently, we refine the haze-free image and transmission map separately via a data-driven approach. In addition, we propose a novel reverse knowledge transfer method to exploit latent prior information within hazy images thoroughly for dehazing guidance. This method combines knowledge transfer and contrastive learning to reverse guide the refinement network away from haze characteristics. Finally, a perceptual fusion strategy is employed to obtain haze-free images with high visibility and realism. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed ZRID-Net effectively restores image clarity, enhances structural details, and improves color fidelity across various challenging haze conditions without relying on paired or unpaired supervision. On multiple benchmark datasets, ZRID-Net outperforms existing SOTA approaches in terms of both quantitative metrics and visual quality. The results also confirm its strong generalizability and practical applicability to real-world scenarios. The relevant implementation code can be found at https://github.com/cswangshilong/ZRID-Net.