Quantitative Visualization of Large Variation Phase Objects

This paper describes a technique by which a large variation phase object may be visualized in an image having an irradiance which is directly proportional to the object phase. An image of the phase object derivative is formed in a coherent optical system and recorded on photographic film. This photograph is used as the input to a second coherent optical system, in which the image is an integral of the input. No limitations are imposed on the maximum object phase, only on its maximum slope. Experimental techniques for implementation of this system are discussed and results shown.