Image processing method to improve AOTF spectral resolution and spatial resolution.

An acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) causes the diffracted angle and wavelength to spread, leading to loss of resolution. The light intensity detected by a CCD pixel equals the true intensity plus the stray light caused by the spread of the wavelength and diffraction angle. Here, the true intensity is obtained using neighbourhood estimate recursive correction iteration, improving the spectral and spatial resolution. The spread of acoustic wave angles caused by diffraction is analysed. The reason for the spreads is analysed and derived. A method is reported for measuring the correspondence between the wavelength and diffraction angle spread, using an AOTF, an angle measurement spectrometer and a fibre spectrometer. The iterations' stop condition is analysed. The improved theory is verified by an AOTF spectral imaging experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]