Phase retrieval errors in standard Fourier fringe analysis of digitally sampled model interferograms

We investigate the reliability of phase retrieval by use of the fringe Fourier analysis method for measuring the displacements of facets during the growth of equilibriumlike-shaped crystals. The mean phase change between two successive interferometric images contains an inherent error that emerges from the noninteger number of fringes in the image field. The magnitude of the retrieved phase error of the ideal fringe pattern is investigated as a function of spatial carrier frequency, of the initial phase setting, and of the deviation of the number of fringes from the nearest integer value. The suggested modified algorithm suppresses the error more than threefold.