Phase retrieval with background compensation in 4f configuration: advanced augmented Lagrangian technique for amplitude object

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel two-step phase-retrieval algorithm that compensates for optical distortions and artifacts, improving the accuracy of wave field reconstructions in 4f optical systems.

Contribution

It proposes a new method combining background estimation and maximum likelihood optimization for enhanced phase retrieval in the presence of system aberrations.

Findings

Effective compensation of optical distortions demonstrated

Improved sharpness in reconstructed images shown in numerical experiments

Algorithm outperforms traditional phase-retrieval methods

Abstract

Generally, wave field reconstructions obtained by phase-retrieval algorithms are noisy, blurred and corrupted by various artifacts such as irregular waves, spots, etc. These disturbances, arising due to many factors such as non-idealities of optical system (misalignment, focusing errors), dust on optical elements, reflections, vibration, are hard to be localized and specified. It is assumed that there is a generalized pupil function at the object plane which describes aberrations in the coherent imaging system manifested at the sensor plane. Here we propose a novel two steps phase-retrieval algorithm to compensate these distortions. We first estimate the cumulative disturbance, called background, using special calibration experiments. Then, we use this background for reconstruction of the object amplitude and phase. The second part of the algorithm is based on the maximum likelihood approach and, in this way, targeted on the optimal amplitude and phase reconstruction from noisy data. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the developed algorithm enables the compensation of various typical distortions of the optical track so sharp object imaging for a binary test-chart can be achieved.