Gamma correction for digital fringe projection profilometry

Digital fringe projection profilometry utilizes a digital video projector as a structured light source and thus gains great flexibility. However, the gamma nonlinearity of the video projector inevitably decreases the accuracy and resolution of the measurement. We propose a gamma-correction technique based on statistical analysis of the fringe images. The technique allows one to estimate the value of gamma from the normalized cumulative histogram of the fringe images. By iterating the two steps, gamma estimation and phase evaluation, the actual gamma value can be calculated. At the same time the phase distribution of the fringe pattern can be solved with higher accuracy. In so doing, neither photometric calibration nor knowledge of the device is required. Both computer simulation and experiment are carried out to demonstrate the validity of this technique. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.