Increasing imaging resolution through scattering media via in situ characterization of the point-spread function

We demonstrate improved recovery of high spatial frequency optical information through atmospheric aerosol (fog) analogues by characterizing the point spread functions (PSFs) of the fog environment. Using Fourier optics, we measure the angular distribution of light from a collimated beam through these experimentally generated aerosols. This data can then be used to calculate the anticipated PSF of the environment at an arbitrary distance, allowing the use of deconvolution to enhance the resolution of images taken at that distance. Our findings show up to a 26% increase in the resolution of images taken through 1 meter of fog.