Quantitative phase retrieval of complex-valued specimens based on noninterferometric imaging

In recent years, the interferometric imaging method has been applied to analyze the structure of various specimens, such as crystals and biological tissues. However, the interferometric imaging method may require a relatively complex optical recording system, such as a reference wave and temporal coherence. In this paper, we propose a method based on noninterferometric imaging for quantitative phase retrieval of complex-valued specimens. A strategy using different focal lengths in the lens function is developed, and a series of diffraction intensity maps is recorded. Numerical simulation results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America