Simultaneous phase-shifting dual-wavelength interferometry based on two-step demodulation algorithm

Convenient dual-wavelength digital holography based on orthogonal polarization strategy with a Wollaston prism

Dual-wavelength digital holography effectively expands the measurement range of digital holography, but it increases the complexity of optical system due to non-common-path of two wavelengths. Here, by using orthogonal polarization strategy, we present a dual-wavelength digital holography based on a Wollaston prism (DWDH-WP) to separate the reference beams of two wavelengths and realize the common-path of two wavelengths. A Wollaston prism is inset into the reference beam path of the off-axis digital holography system, so two orthogonal-polarized reference beams of two different wavelengths separated at different directions are generated. Then a dual-wavelength multiplexed interferogram with orthogonal interference fringes is captured by using a monochrome camera, in which both the polarization orientations and the interference fringe orientations of two wavelengths are orthogonal, so the spectral crosstalk of two wavelengths with arbitrary wavelength difference can be avoided. Compared with the existing DWDH method, the proposed DWDH-WP method can conveniently realize the common-path of the reference beams of two wavelengths, so it reveals obvious advantages in spectral separation, spectral crosstalk, system simplification, and adjustment flexibility. Both effectiveness and flexibility of the proposed DWDH-WP method are demonstrated by the phase measurement of the HeLa cell and vortex phase plate.

Fringe analysis: single-shot or two-frames? Quantitative phase imaging answers

Conditions of the digital recording of the fringe pattern determine the phase reconstruction procedure, which in turn directly shapes the final accuracy and throughput of the full-field (non-scanning) optical measurement technique and defines the system capabilities. In this way, the fringe pattern analysis plays a crucial role in the ubiquitous optical measurements and thus is under constant development focused on high temporal/spatial resolution. It is especially valuable in the quantitative phase imaging technology, which emerged in the high-contrast label-free biomedical microscopy. In this paper, I apply recently blossomed two-frame phase-shifting techniques to the QPI and merge them with advanced adaptive interferogram pre-filtering algorithms. Next, I comprehensively test such frameworks against classical and adaptive single-shot methods applied for phase reconstruction in dynamic QPI enabling highest phase time-space-bandwidth product. The presented study systematically tackles important question: what is the gain, if any, in QPI realized by recording two phase-shifted interferograms? Counterintuitively, the results show that single-shot demodulation exhibited higher phase reconstruction accuracy than two-frame phase-shifting methods in low and medium interferogram signal-to-noise ratio regimes. Thus, the single-shot approach is promoted due to not only high temporal resolution but also larger phase-information throughput. Additionally, in the majority of scenarios, the best option is to shift the paradigm and employ two-frame pre-filtering rather than two-frame phase retrieval. Experimental fringe analysis in QPI of LSEC/RWPE cell lines successfully corroborated all novel numerical findings. Hence, the presented numerical-experimental research advances the important field of fringe analysis solutions for optical full-field measurement methods with widespread bio-engineering applications.

Dual-wavelength interferogram decoupling method for three-frame generalized dual-wavelength phase-shifting interferometry based on deep learning

In dual-wavelength interferometry, the key issue is how to efficiently retrieve the phases at each wavelength using the minimum number of wavelength-multiplexed interferograms. To address this problem, a new dual-wavelength interferogram decoupling method with the help of deep learning is proposed in this study. This method requires only three randomly phase-shifted dual-wavelength interferograms. With a well-trained deep neural network, one can obtain three interferograms with arbitrary phase shifts at each wavelength. Using these interferograms, the wrapped phases of a single wavelength can be extracted, respectively, via an iterative phase retrieval algorithm, and then the phases at different synthetic beat wavelengths can be calculated. The feasibility and applicability of the proposed method are demonstrated by simulation experiments of the spherical cap and red blood cell, respectively. This method will provide a solution for the problem of phase retrieval in multiwavelength interferometry.

Fast phase extraction of a synthetic wavelength from a dual-wavelength interferogram through Hilbert transformation

Phase imaging is an important measurement method in optical metrology, and phase extraction is one of its essential components. A method using one-frame dual-wavelength interferometry (DWI) for fast phase extraction is proposed. Using this method, the Hilbert transform (HT) is applied twice to a wavelength-multiplexed interferogram to obtain two images. The HT is then applied twice to the sum of the squares of these two images. The synthetic wavelength phase can then be obtained. Compared with other common multiple-frame DWI methods, the proposed approach requires only one multiplexed interferogram and does not have to consider parameter changes in interferograms of different frames. Furthermore, the proposed method was determined to require the least calculation time, and the simulation and experimental results confirmed its high accuracy and efficiency. It suggests that the proposed method is suitable for real-time measurements.

Quantitative phase imaging in dual-wavelength interferometry using a single wavelength illumination and deep learning

In this manuscript, we propose a quantitative phase imaging method based on deep learning, using a single wavelength illumination to realize dual-wavelength phase-shifting phase recovery. By using the conditional generative adversarial network (CGAN), from one interferogram recorded at a single wavelength, we obtain interferograms at other wavelengths, the corresponding wrapped phases and then the phases at synthetic wavelengths. The feasibility of the proposed method is verified by simulation and experiments. The results demonstrate that the measurement range of single-wavelength interferometry (SWI) is improved by keeping a simple setup, avoiding the difficulty caused by using two wavelengths simultaneously. This will provide an effective solution for the problem of phase unwrapping and the measurement range limitation in phase-shifting interferometry.

Euclidean matrix norm algorithm for simultaneous dual-wavelength phase-shifting interferometry with blind phase shifts

In this study, a simultaneous dual-wavelength phase-shifting interferometry system using two reference arms was built, and a simple phase retrieval method for the system with blind phase shifts was proposed using five phase-shifted interferograms. First, the unknown phase shifts were controlled independently to separate the information of single wavelength, which can be calculated directly by using the Euclidean matrix norm algorithm. Second, a wrapped phase of a single wavelength was obtained using a three-step phase-shifting algorithm. Finally, a continuous phase of a synthetic wavelength was obtained. The simulation and experimental results indicated the feasibility and greater accuracy of the proposed method. Moreover, the strict requirement of the phase shifter was eliminated because of the use of arbitrary and unknown phase shifts, thereby making experimental operation easier.

Fast and accurate wavefront reconstruction in two-frame phase-shifting interferometry with unknown phase step

A fast and accurate wavefront reconstruction method for two-frame phase-shifting interferometry is proposed. The unknown phase step between the two interferograms is estimated directly by solving a quartic polynomial equation, and then the phase map is readily reconstructed after obtaining the phase step. The whole phase reconstruction process is nearly analytical and thus very fast and easy to realize. Good performance of the proposed method is demonstrated by reconstructing the phase maps from simulated and real fringes along with comparisons to several existing well-established algorithms.

Phase retrieval in two-shot phase-shifting interferometry based on phase shift estimation in a local mask

Fringe analysis in two-shot phase-shifting interferometry is important but meets challenges due to a limited number of images, corrupting noise, and background modulation. Here we propose an effective algorithm for phase retrieval from two interferograms with unknown phase shifts. The algorithm first evaluates the phase shift in a local mask through phase fitting and global optimization and then computes a full-field phase map using an arctangent function. Since the phase shift evaluation is performed within a local mask, the algorithm is fast compared with conventional optimization-based algorithms and typically needs tens of seconds to complete the processing. Computer simulation and experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has excellent performance compared with state-of-the-art algorithms. A complete software package of the algorithm in MATLAB is available at http://two-shot.sourceforge.io/.

Evaluation of adaptively enhanced two-shot fringe pattern phase and amplitude demodulation methods

Phase-shifting interferometry is a standard tool in optical metrology. Most frequently, it needs three or more interferograms to solve the system of fringe equations for phase or amplitude retrieval, which limits its time resolution. Recently, the topic of two-shot, arbitrary-phase-step fringe pattern phase and amplitude demodulation has been flourishing and attracting attention with several novel and interesting methods being proposed. In this work, we evaluate six up-to-date two-shot phase-shifting methods analyzing their main error sources and proposing efficient ways to minimize their influence by adaptive filtering using the Hilbert-Huang transform.

Simultaneous phase-shifting dual-wavelength interferometry based on independent component analysis

An independent component analysis-based simultaneous phase-shifting dual-wavelength interferometry approach is proposed. By using a one-time phase-shifting procedure, the simultaneous phase-shifting operation of two illumination wavelengths can be implemented, and then the background intensity and two orthogonal independent components of each single wavelength can be separated from a sequence of simultaneous phase-shifting dual-wavelength interferograms with random phase shifts. Subsequently, the wrapped phases of single wavelength can be calculated by above two orthogonal independent components; thus the unambiguous phase of synthetic wavelength can be achieved. Both the simulation and experimental results show that the proposed approach reveals the advantages of high accuracy, rapid speed, high stability, and good adaptability for arbitrary phase shifts.

Improved phase retrieval method of dual-wavelength interferometry based on a shorter synthetic-wavelength

In dual-wavelength interferometry (DWI), by combing the advantage of the shorter synthetic-wavelength and the immune algorithm of phase ambiguity, we propose an improved phase retrieval method with both high accuracy and large measurement range, which is a pair of contradiction in the reported DWI method. First, we calculate the height of measured object at longer synthetic-wavelength through using the wrapped phases of two single-wavelengths. Second, by combining the immune algorithm of phase ambiguity and the height of measured object at longer synthetic-wavelength, we can perform the phase unwrapping of the larger one of the two single-wavelengths, then achieve accurate height at single-wavelength named as the transition height. Finally, we perform phase unwrapping of shorter synthetic-wavelength through using the immune algorithm of phase ambiguity and the transition height, and then the height at shorter synthetic-wavelength can be achieved. Compared with the reported method, in addition to maintaining the advantage of high accuracy, the proposed method does not need the additional wavelength, so the corresponding measurement procedures is greatly simplified. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the performance of proposed method.

Phase retrieval based on temporal and spatial hybrid matching in simultaneous phase-shifting dual-wavelength interferometry

In simultaneous phase-shifting dual-wavelength interferometry, by matching both the phase-shifting period number and the fringe number in interferogram of two wavelengths to the integers, the phase with high accuracy can be retrieved through combining the principle component analysis (PCA) and least-squares iterative algorithm (LSIA). First, by using the approximate ratio of two wavelengths, we can match both the temporal phase-shifting period number and the spatial fringe number in interferogram of two wavelengths to the integers. Second, using above temporal and spatial hybrid matching condition, we can achieve accurate phase shifts of single-wavelength of phase-shifting interferograms through using PCA algorithm. Third, using above phase shifts to perform the iterative calculation with the LSIA method, the wrapped phases of single-wavelength can be determined. Both simulation calculation and experimental research demonstrate that by using the temporal and spatial hybrid matching condition, the PCA + LSIA based phase retrieval method possesses significant advantages in accuracy, stability and processing time.

Dual-wavelength in-line phase-shifting interferometry based on two dc-term-suppressed intensities with a special phase shift for quantitative phase extraction

To efficiently promote the phase retrieval in quantitative phase imaging, a new approach of quantitative phase extraction is proposed based on two intensities with dual wavelength after filtering the corresponding dc terms for each wavelength, in which a special phase shift is used. In this approach, only the combination of the phase-shifting technique and subtraction procedures is needed, and no additional algorithms are required. The thickness of the phase object can be achieved from the phase image, which is related to the synthetic beat wavelength. The feasibility of this method is verified by the simulated experiments of the optically transparent objects.

Synthesis of multi-wavelength temporal phase-shifting algorithms optimized for high signal-to-noise ratio and high detuning robustness using the frequency transfer function

Synthesis of single-wavelength temporal phase-shifting algorithms (PSA) for interferometry is well-known and firmly based on the frequency transfer function (FTF) paradigm. Here we extend the single-wavelength FTF-theory to dual and multi-wavelength PSA-synthesis when several simultaneous laser-colors are present. The FTF-based synthesis for dual-wavelength (DW) PSA is optimized for high signal-to-noise ratio and minimum number of temporal phase-shifted interferograms. The DW-PSA synthesis herein presented may be used for interferometric contouring of discontinuous industrial objects. Also DW-PSA may be useful for DW shop-testing of deep free-form aspheres. As shown here, using the FTF-based synthesis one may easily find explicit DW-PSA formulae optimized for high signal-to-noise and high detuning robustness. To this date, no general synthesis and analysis for temporal DW-PSAs has been given; only ad hoc DW-PSAs formulas have been reported. Consequently, no explicit formulae for their spectra, their signal-to-noise, their detuning and harmonic robustness has been given. Here for the first time a fully general procedure for designing DW-PSAs (or triple-wavelengths PSAs) with desire spectrum, signal-to-noise ratio and detuning robustness is given. We finally generalize DW-PSA to higher number of wavelength temporal PSAs.

Dual-wavelength interferometry based on the spatial carrier-frequency phase-shifting method

From a single-frame dual-wavelength spatial carrier-frequency interferogram (SCFI), we propose a novel phase retrieval method of dual-wavelength interferometry (DWI). First, by continuously moving the intercepted area pixel-by-pixel in a single-frame SCFI along the horizontal and vertical directions, we construct a sequence of phase-shifting sub-interferograms. Second, the wrapped phases of each single wavelength can be retrieved from those phase-shifting sub-interferograms via the least-squares iteration algorithm. Third, the phase of synthetic wavelength can be obtained by subtraction between the wrapped phases of single wavelengths. Both the numerical simulation and the experimental result demonstrate that the proposed method reveals greater accuracy and convenience. Furthermore, because only single-frame SCFI can perform the phase retrieval of DWI, the proposed method offers better ability in resisting external vibration and disturbance, which will greatly facilitate the application of DWI in the dynamic phase measurement.

Simultaneous phase-shifting interferometry: immune to azimuth error of fast-axes in retarder array

Simultaneous phase-shifting interferometry based on a 2×2 retarder array with random fast-axes (RARF-SPSI) is proposed for real-time wavefront measurements. The retarder array is used as the phase-shift component, where the phase retardances are π/2, π, 3π/2, and 2π and the four fast-axes of the four retarders can be somewhat random. In this paper, the mathematical model of RARF-SPSI is built by using a Stokes vector and a Mueller matrix, the phase demodulation method through solving equations is derived, and the coefficient matrix of the equations that is associated with the azimuth of the fast-axes is calculated by Fourier analysis. Then the corresponding simulation analysis is executed. In the experiment, four simultaneous phase-shifting interferograms are captured and the phase distribution under test is demodulated through the proposed method. Compared with the four-bucket phase-shifting algorithm adopted in traditional simultaneous phase-shifting interferometry, the ripple error is suppressed well. The advantage of the proposed RARF-SPSI is that there is no need to calibrate the fast-axes of the phase-shift component before measuring; in other words, the phase demodulation error caused by the azimuth error of fast-axes is eliminated.

Single-wavelength phase retrieval method from simultaneous multi-wavelength in-line phase-shifting interferograms

From a sequence of simultaneous multi-wavelength phase-shifting interferograms (SMWPSIs), a novel single-wavelength phase retrieval method based on the least-squares iterative algorithm is proposed and utilized in dual-wavelength interferometry. Firstly, only one time phase-shifting procedure implements the phase shifts of all illumination wavelengths simultaneously, and then the accurate wrapped phases of each single-wavelength can be respectively retrieved from SMWPSIs by the least-squares iterative operation, so the phase of synthetic wavelength can be obtained by the subtraction easily. Using the proposed method, both the simulation and the experimental results demonstrate that the optical setup is simpler; the requirements for the displacement of the phase-shifting device and the number of the captured interferograms are smaller compared to the traditional phase-shifting multi-wavelength interferometry or off-axis multi-wavelength interferometry. Even in the case that the phase-shifts are unknown, the wrapped phases and the phase-shifts of each single-wavelength can be obtained by the proposed method.