Abstract

A technique is described for measuring the phase of complex transmitting objects. It consists of two basic parts. The first is an optical system that imposes the phase of an object onto a sinusoidal carrier in the form of a phase modulation. This is accomplished using interferometric and optical heterodyning techniques. The second is a phase detection system that converts this phase modulation into a signal that is directly proportional to the phase of the object. This technique measures phase variations from zero to 16π, (2π ambiguities are avoided) with a spatial resolution of 600 cycles/mm and a phase resolution of 2π/100. Analysis of this technique and experimental results are given.

© 1973 Optical Society of America

Experimental Demonstration of Coherence Effects and Linearity in Microdensitometry

George O. Reynolds and Albert E. Smith
Appl. Opt. 12(6) 1259-1270 (1973)

Fresnel Zone Plate Imaging of Gamma Rays; Theory

H. H. Barrett and F. A. Horrigan
Appl. Opt. 12(11) 2686-2702 (1973)

Reduced Sensitivity Phase Object Analysis by Moiré Techniques

J. Shamir
Appl. Opt. 12(2) 271-274 (1973)

Measurement of the Coherence of a Single Laser Pulse

J. A. Blodgett and R. A. Patten
Appl. Opt. 12(9) 2147-2152 (1973)

Multiple-Beam Lateral-Shear Interferometer

S. Mallick and M. Rousseau
Appl. Opt. 12(10) 2305-2308 (1973)