This topic is a feature request - in other words, a request for something the software cannot do yet. I don’t see what you’re objecting to, Mark.
About “deconvolution sharpening” - I’ve seen this used in software and in certain camera JPEG engines to mitigate the effects of diffraction at small apertures. Topaz AI sharpening doesn’t seem to rely upon this kind of sharpening:
…though perhaps in reality Sharpen AI and similar Topaz products use a combination of deconvolution and machine learning. What DxO software does is more mysterious. If you want to hear from DxO about what Lens Sharpness does, I’ve seen no better discussion than this one:
Several users on the forum have speculated that DxO uses some sort of deconvolution algorithm to correct image softness from RAW data. I believe DxO didn’t deny that - they only said that they had no short-term plans to provide a means of diffraction correction in PhotoLab without the use of optics modules. Long-term, who knows. As far as I know, nothing has been said about what is planned for the Nik Collection, near-term or long-term.