Multiwavelength digital holography with autocalibration of phase shifts and artificial wavelengths

A novel implementation of lensless multiwavelength digital holography with autocalibration of temporal phase shifts and artificial wavelength is presented. The algorithm we used to calculate the phase shifts was previously proposed [Opt. Lett. 29 183 (2004)] and, to our knowledge, is now used for the first time in lensless holography. Because precise knowledge of the generated artificial wavelength is crucial for absolute measurement accuracy, a simple and efficient method to determine the artificial wavelength directly is presented. The calibration method is based on a simple modification of the experimental setup and needs just one additional image acquisition per wavelength. The results of shape measurement of a metallic test object with a rough surface and steep edges are shown and the measurement accuracy is discussed. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America