Pulsed digital holography for high-speed contouring that uses a two-wavelength method

A two-wavelength method for a fast shape measurement by use of a pulsed ruby laser is presented. The wavelength change is produced by alteration of the distance between the plates of the laser's output etalon. One plate of the etalon is mounted on a vibrating piezoelectric element; this allows a fast wavelength change. Two holograms at different wavelengths are recorded in a few microseconds by use of a CCD. The holograms are reconstructed digitally, and the wave-front phase is calculated. The shape is obtained by subtraction of the phases of the wave fronts recorded at different wavelengths. Environmental disturbances at low frequencies, such as air turbulence, vibrations, and object drift, have no influence on the measurement. Experimental results are presented. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America. OCIS codes: 070.2580, 070.2590, 090.1760, 100.2000, 100.2650, 120.0120, 120.2880, 120.6160, 120.6650, 140.3540.