Open AccessAccurate quantitative phase imaging using generalized phase contrast
Author(s) -
Peter John Rodrigo,
Darwin Palima,
Jesper Glückstad
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.002740
Subject(s) - optics , phase (matter) , interferometry , reference beam , phase retrieval , physics , spatial frequency , computer science , fourier transform , quantum mechanics
The generalized phase contrast (GPC) method is explored for improving the accuracy in quantitative reconstruction of two-dimensional phase distribution from images of semi-transparent objects viewed with a common-path interferometer (CPI). We propose a novel optical scheme for highly accurate determination of the object-dependent complex synthetic reference wave (SRW) in a CPI. Using a simple 4f imaging optical setup, GPC provides an analytic model of the SRW profile that is shown here to increase phase measurement accuracy over the entire output aperture. The improved accuracy due to the GPC model can exceed one order of magnitude compared to that of the conventional plane wave model of the reference beam. Furthermore, we describe a novel method for accurate derivation of the strength of the phase object's zero spatial frequency component based on the intensity of the traditionally ignored halo region encompassing the interferogram. Combining this information with three inteferometric measurements, full-field phase images with unconstrained phase strokes are obtained accurately.