Review of fringe pattern phase recovery using the 1-D and 2-D continuous wavelet transforms

The mathematical theory underlying the one- and two-dimensional continuous wavelet transforms (CWT) is briefly reviewed. The phase or instantaneous frequency of fringe patterns with spatial or temporal carriers can be recovered from the wavelet ride, a path that follows the maximum modulus of the CWT. The relative merits of these two approaches, termed the phase and gradient methods, respectively, are discussed. Common 1-D wavelets are listed and their broad scope of applicability is indicated. Popular 2-D isotropic and directional wavelets are given and the advantages of 2-D wavelet methods over 1-D are discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.