Resolution of continuous-wave (CW) terahertz scanning image is limited by many factors among which the aperture effect of finite focus diameter is very important. We have investigated the factors that affect terahertz (THz) image resolution in details through theory analysis and simulation. On the other hand, in order to enhance THz image resolution, Richardson-Lucy algorithm has been introduced as a promising approach to improve image details. By analyzing the imaging theory, it is proposed that intensity distribution function of actual THz laser focal spot can be approximatively used as point spread function (PSF) in the restoration algorithm. The focal spot image could be obtained by applying the pyroelectric camera, and mean filtering result of the focal spot image is used as the PSF. Simulation and experiment show that the algorithm implemented is comparatively effective. (C) 2010 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. [DOI: 10.1117/1.3366650]
