Comparing algorithms for reconstructing digital off-axis Fresnel holograms

Three-dimensional information about an object, such as its depth, may be captured and stored digitally in a single, two-dimensional, real- valued hologram acquired in an off-axis geometry. Digital reconstruction of the hologram permits the quantitative retrieval of depth data and object position, or allows post-acquisition focusing on selected scenes. Over the past few decades, a number of reconstruction algorithms have been proposed to perform this task in various experimental conditions and for different purposes (metrology, imaging, etc.). Here, we aim at providing guidelines for deciding which algorithm to apply to a given problem. We evaluate reconstruction procedures based on criteria such as reconstruction quality and computational complexity. We propose a simulation procedure of the acquisition process, that allows us to compare a large body of experimental situations and, because the ground truth is known, achieve quantitative comparison.