Single-shot phase recovery using two laterally separated defocused images

We present a single-shot method for phase recovery based on the transport of irradiance equation (TIE). The system utilizes a beamsplitter and mirrors to achieve two simultaneous (laterally separated) images with different defocusing degrees, which are acquired with a digital camera. The proposed method provides a simple achromatic system for one-shot phase imaging with potential application for phase recovery of dynamic samples. Validation experiments are presented. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.