Extended-Aperture Shape Measurements Using Spatially Partially Coherent Illumination (ExASPICE).

We have recently demonstrated that the 3D shape of micro-parts can be measured using LED illumination based on speckle contrast evaluation in the recently developed SPICE profilometry (shape measurements based on imaging with spatially partially coherent illumination). The main advantage of SPICE is its improved robustness and measurement speed compared to confocal or white light interferometry. The limited spatial coherence of the LED illumination is used for depth discrimination.

Flash-profilometry: fullfield lensless acquisition of spectral holograms for coherence scanning profilometry.

Flash-profilometry is a novel measurement approach based on the fullfield lensless acquisition of spectral holograms. It is based on spectral sampling of the mutual coherence function and the subsequent calculation of its propagation along the optical axis several times the depth-of-field. Numerical propagation of the entire coherence function, rather than solely the complex amplitude, allows to digitally reproduce a complete scanning white-light interferometric (WLI) measurement.

Chocolate inspection by means of phase-contrast imaging using multiple-plane terahertz phase retrieval.

Terahertz (THz) radiation has shown enormous potential for non-destructive inspection in many contexts. Here, we present a method for imaging defects in chocolate bars that can be extended to many other materials. Our method requires only a continuous wave (CW) monochromatic source and detector at relatively low frequencies (280 GHz) corresponding to a relatively long wavelength of 1.

Terahertz referenceless wavefront sensing by means of computational shear-interferometry.

In this contribution, we demonstrate the first referenceless measurement of a THz wavefront by means of shear-interferometry. The technique makes use of a transmissive Ronchi phase grating to generate the shear. We fabricated the grating by mechanical machining of high-density polyethylene.

Optical inspection of single vision soft contact lenses based on an active adaptive wavefront sensor.

We present an experimental configuration for optical inspection of single vision soft contact lenses based on an active adaptive wavefront sensor. At first, the soft lenses were immersed in a saline filled wet cell to prevent surface deformation during measurements. Thereafter, refractive powers and aberrations were accurately measured before and after correcting illumination laser beam aberrations and wet cell-induced aberrations.

Γ-profilometry: a new paradigm for precise optical metrology.

We show that the shape of a surface can be unambiguously determined from investigating the coherence function of a wave-field reflected by the surface and without the requirement of a reference wave. Spatio-temporal sampling facilitates the identification of temporal shifts of the coherence function that correspond to finite height differences of the surface. Evaluating these finite differences allows for the reconstruction of the surface using a numerical integration procedure.

Fast 3D form measurement using a tunable lens profiler based on imaging with LED illumination.

We present a fast shape measurement of micro-parts based on depth discrimination in imaging with LED illumination. It is based on a 4f-setup with an electrically adjusted tunable lens at the common Fourier plane. Using such a configuration, the opportunity to implement a fast depth scan by means of a tunable lens without the requirement of mechanically moving parts and depth discrimination using the limited spatial coherence of LED illumination is investigated.

Fast form measurements using a digital micro-mirror device in imaging with partially coherent illumination.

We present a new technique for fast form measurement based on imaging with partially coherent illumination. It consists of a 4-imaging system with a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) located in the Fourier plane of its two lenses. The setup benefits from spatially partially coherent illumination that allows for depth discrimination and a DMD that enables a fast depth scan.

Three-dimensional visualization of brain tumor progression based accurate segmentation via comparative holographic projection.

We propose a new optical method based on comparative holographic projection for visual comparison between two abnormal follow-up magnetic resonance (MR) exams of glioblastoma patients to effectively visualize and assess tumor progression. First, the brain tissue and tumor areas are segmented from the MR exams using the fast marching method (FMM). The FMM approach is implemented on a computed pixel weight matrix based on an automated selection of a set of initialized target points.

Spatial multiplexing and autofocus in holographic contouring for inspection of micro-parts.

We present a method for fast geometrical inspection of micro deep drawing parts. It is based on single-shot two-wavelength contouring digital holographic microscopy (DHM). Within the capturing process, spatial multiplexing is utilized in order to record the two required holograms in a single-shot.

Measuring opto-thermal parameters of basalt fibers using digital holographic microscopy.

A method for studying the effect of temperature on the optical properties of basalt fiber is presented. It is based on recording a set of phase-shifted digital holograms for the sample under the test. The holograms are obtained utilizing a system based on Mach-Zehnder interferometer, where the fiber sample inserted in an immersion liquid is placed within a temperature controlled chamber.

Holographic display system for dynamic synthesis of 3D light fields with increased space bandwidth product.

We present a new method for the generation of a dynamic wave field with high space bandwidth product (SBP). The dynamic wave field is generated from several wave fields diffracted by a display which comprises multiple spatial light modulators (SLMs) each having a comparably low SBP. In contrast to similar approaches in stereoscopy, we describe how the independently generated wave fields can be coherently superposed.

Single-shot digital holography for fast measuring optical properties of fibers.

We propose a fast method for measuring optical properties, e.g., the refractive index profile and birefringence, of fibers.

Investigation of composite materials using SLM-based phase retrieval.

We present a robust method to inspect a typical composite material constructed of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). It is based on optical surface contouring using the spatial light modulator (SLM)-based phase retrieval technique. The method utilizes multiple intensity observations of the wave field, diffracted by the investigated object, captured at different planes along the optical axis to recover the phase information across the object plane.

Phase retrieval in 4f optical system: background compensation and sparse regularization of object with binary amplitude.

Generally, wave field reconstructions obtained by phase-retrieval algorithms are noisy, blurred, and corrupted by various artifacts such as irregular waves, spots, etc. These distortions, arising due to many factors, such as nonidealities of the optical system (misalignment, focusing errors), dust on optical elements, reflections, and vibration, are hard to localize and specify. It is assumed that there is a cumulative disturbance called "background," which describes mentioned distortions in the coherent imaging system manifested at the sensor plane.

Enhanced deterministic phase retrieval using a partially developed speckle field.

A technique for enhanced deterministic phase retrieval using a partially developed speckle field (PDSF) and a spatial light modulator (SLM) is demonstrated experimentally. A smooth test wavefront impinges on a phase diffuser, forming a PDSF that is directed to a 4f setup. Two defocused speckle intensity measurements are recorded at the output plane corresponding to axially-propagated representations of the PDSF in the input plane.

Automated compensation of misalignment in phase retrieval based on a spatial light modulator.

In this paper, the issue of misalignment in phase retrieval by means of optical linear filtering is discussed. The filtering setup is based on a 4f configuration with a spatial light modulator (SLM) as an active element, located in the Fourier domain. From the analysis, crucial parameters for the alignment procedure of the setup's optical axes and the center of the SLM are identified.

Phase retrieval by means of a spatial light modulator in the Fourier domain of an imaging system.

We present an experimental configuration for phase retrieval from a set of intensity measurements. The key component is a spatial light modulator located in the Fourier domain of an imaging system. It performs a linear filter operation that is associated to the process of propagation in the image plane.