Object wave retrieval using normalized holograms in three-step generalized phase-shifting digital holography

Phase-shifting methods using interferogram normalization are often applied to smooth objects, for which the requirements for the normalization approach, including zero-order term elimination and the norm approximation condition, are easily achieved. Here we propose a three-step generalized phase-shifting method using the normalization approach for diffuse objects. In the proposed method, the zero-order terms are sufficiently suppressed by mutual subtraction of the phase-shifted holograms. The norm approximation condition is satisfied, and the complex field of the object wave can be estimated by the normalization approach when the hologram satisfies the phase randomness condition. We present an object wave retrieval algorithm using three phase-shifted holograms, in which estimation of phase-shift values is unnecessary. The proposed method is verified through simulations and optical experiments. (C) 2019 Optical Society of America