Reducing of phase retrieval errors in Fourier analysis of 2-dimensional digital model interferograms

Abstract

In order to measure the radial displacements of facets on surface of a growing spherical Cu_{2-\delta}Se crystal with sub-nanometer resolution, we have investigated the reliability and accuracy of standard method of Fourier analysis of fringes obtained applying digital laser interferometry method. Guided by the realistic experimental parameters (density and orientation of fringes), starting from 2-dimensional model interferograms and using unconventional custom designed Gaussian filtering window and unwrapping procedure of the retrieved phase, we have demonstrated that for considerable portion of parameter space the non-negligible inherent phase retrieval error is present solely due to non-integer number of fringes within the digitally recorded image (using CCD camera). Our results indicate the range of experimentally adjustable parameters for which the generated error is acceptably small. We also introduce a modification of the (last part) of the usual phase retrieval algorithm which significantly reduces the error in the case of small fringe density.