  Methods of three-dimensional deconvolution (3DD) or volumetric deconvolution
of optical complex-valued wavefronts diffracted by 3D samples with the 3D point
spread function are presented. Particularly, the quantitative correctness of
the recovered 3D sample distributions is addressed. Samples consisting of
point-like objects can be retrieved from their 3D diffracted wavefronts with
non-iterative (Wiener filter) 3DD. Continuous extended samples, including
complex-valued (phase) samples, can be retrieved with iterative (Gold and
Richardson-Lucy) 3DD algorithms. It is shown that quantitatively correct 3D
sample distribution can be only recovered with iterative 3DD, and with the
optimal protocols provided. It is demonstrated that 3DD can improve the lateral
resolution to the resolution limit and the axial resolution can be at least
four times better than the resolution limit. The presented 3DD methods of
complex-valued optical fields can be applied for 3D optical imaging and
holography.
