Generalized phase-shifting algorithm for inhomogeneous phase shift and spatio-temporal fringe visibility variation

A cascade least-squares scheme for wrapped phase extraction using two or more phase-shifted fringe-patterns with unknown and inhomogeneous surface phase shift is proposed. This algorithm is based on the parameter estimation approach to process fringe-patterns where, except for the interest phase distribution that is a function of the space only, all other parameters are functions of both space and time. Computer simulations and experimental results show that phase computing is possible even when an inhomogeneous phase shift is induced by nonlinearity of the piezoelectric materials or miscalibrated phase shifters. The algorithm's features and its operating conditions will been discussed. Due to the useful properties of this algorithm such as the robustness, computational efficiency, and user-free execution, this proposal could be used in automatic applications. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America