Discrete phase reconstruction technique for two-dimensional interferograms

A discrete technique for the reconstruction of the phase of a carrier frequency interferogram is presented. In this technique the interferogram is used to generate two functions that are utilised to form partial differential equations. Interpolating polynomials of degree N are used to approximate the unknowns in these equations using Legendre-Gauss-Lobatto collocation points and sets of algebraic equations are developed. These algebraic equations are solved and the phase of the interferogram is reconstructed. An example is included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique where a comparison is made with exact results.