Reflection Separation from a Single Image via Joint Latent Diffusion
On the map: Diffusion models → Inverse problems and image restoration
Abstract (arXiv)
Single-image reflection separation is highly challenging under extreme conditions like glare or weak reflections. Existing methods often struggle to recover both layers in glare or weak-reflection scenarios because of insufficient information. This paper presents a diffusion model explicitly fine-tuned for this task, leveraging generative diffusion priors for robust separation. Our method simultaneously generates transmission and reflection layers through a unified diffusion model, incorporating a novel cross-layer self-attention mechanism for better feature disentanglement. We further introduce a disjoint sampling strategy to iteratively reduce interference between the layers during diffusion and a latent optimization step with a learned composition function for improved results in complex real-world scenarios. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our approach surpasses state-of-the-art methods on multiple real-world benchmarks. Project page: https://brian90709.github.io/diff-reflection-separation/
Key facts. No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026). Placed in Inverse problems and image restoration, one of 14 directions in Diffusion models. Builds on 51 of its 70 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 2 Jun 2026.
Builds on
51 of 70 references.
Closest ancestors · 8
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- 2023Diffusion Models for Image Restoration and Enhancement: A Comprehensive Survey18 Aug
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- 2022Diffusion Posterior Sampling for General Noisy Inverse Problems29 Sep
Other references · 43
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- 2018Single Image Reflection Separation with Perceptual Lossescited by 98
- 2025Test-time Alignment of Diffusion Models without Reward Over-optimizationcited by 93
31 more
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- 2017A Generic Deep Architecture for Single Image Reflection Removal and Image Smoothingcited by 60
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- 2020Learning to See Through Obstructionscited by 38
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- 2024MULAN: A Multi Layer Annotated Dataset for Controllable Text-to-Image Generationcited by 38
- 2022High-Fidelity Guided Image Synthesis with Latent Diffusion Modelscited by 36
- 2021Robust Reflection Removal with Reflection-free Flash-only Cuescited by 34
- 2023Revisiting Single Image Reflection Removal In the Wildcited by 33
- 2021Trash or Treasure? An Interactive Dual-Stream Strategy for Single Image Reflection Separationcited by 32
- 2024Diffusion Model with Cross Attention as an Inductive Bias for Disentanglementcited by 27
- 2020Two-Stage Single Image Reflection Removal with Reflection-Aware Guidancecited by 22
- 2024Reversible Decoupling Network for Single Image Reflection Removalcited by 22
- 2020Learning to See Through Obstructions with Layered Decompositioncited by 20
- 2023Looking Through the Glass: Neural Surface Reconstruction Against High Specular Reflectionscited by 19
- 2019Fast Single Image Reflection Suppression via Convex Optimizationcited by 17
- 2023Neural Spline Fields for Burst Image Fusion and Layer Separationcited by 16
- 2024Language-guided Image Reflection Separationcited by 16
- 2024PROUD: PaRetO-gUided Diffusion Model for Multi-objective Generationcited by 16
- 2020Deep-Masking Generative Network: A Unified Framework for Background Restoration from Superimposed Imagescited by 15
- 2024Matting by Generationcited by 13
- 2019Face Image Reflection Removalcited by 10
- 2025LightsOut: Diffusion-based Outpainting for Enhanced Lens Flare Removalcited by 9
- 2024Solving Inverse Problems via Diffusion Optimal Controlcited by 8
- 2024AttenCraft: Attention-guided Disentanglement of Multiple Concepts for Text-to-Image Customizationcited by 6
- 2025Survey on Single-Image Reflection Removal using Deep Learning Techniquescited by 6
- 2024Gradient-free Decoder Inversion in Latent Diffusion Modelscited by 5
- 2025Heeding the Inner Voice: Aligning ControlNet Training via Intermediate Features Feedbackcited by 1
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