A posteriori phase-shifting holographic interferometry

Abstract

Two methods for the evaluation of the images reconstructed from holograms recorded in nonlinear media are reported. The methods are based on the use of the nonlinear holographic characteristics of the recording material without any limitation on the range of bias exposures and visibilities. These characteristics have been obtained by fitting analytical functions to experimental data describing practical recording materials. Numerical calculations have been carried out for high numeric aperture thin amplitude holograms of a five-element Ronchi ruling. The contrast of the reconstructed image as a function of the bias exposure and beam ratio has been computed.