Robust 2D phase unwrapping algorithm based on the transport of intensity equation

2D phase-unwrapping algorithms (PUAs) are commonly used to obtain a continuous phase map from the sawtooth-shaped phase map. However, implementing PUAs can be time consuming, and the accuracy of those algorithms may be low if there is heavy noise. In this paper, we develop a simple and robust PUA based on the transport of intensity equation (TIE). In our method, the TIE was solved using the fast cosine transform, and a phase correction operation was introduced after the TIE was solved. Because of the phase correction operation, the proposed method can obtain a satisfactory unwrapping result even in a notably hash noise condition. The simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.