Complex Diversity for Inverse Problems

This invention is a new technique called complex diversity which improves performance of single shot phase retrieval algorithms used in many areas including adaptive optics, microscope imaging, and virtual reality.

Background:
Phase retrieval is a technique to measure unknown extrinsic phase disturbances, which is attractive because of its simplicity compared to more complicated systems that involve interferometers or Shack-Hartmann sensors. Phase retrieval drawbacks include the requirement of multiple image acquisitions (“shots”), low accuracy, and stagnation issues. Some of these issues have been overcome by single-shot phase retrieval associated with various diversities.

For single-shot techniques, the effective filter applied to the diffracted orders and an accurate reconstruction algorithm that utilizes the effective filters have not been adequately discussed. This research discusses accurate effective filters that are determined in a new diversity concept called complex diversity for single-shot phase retrieval, and an associated reconstruction algorithm is proposed.

This technology can improve performance of algorithms used for many areas of current interest, including adaptive optics and virtual reality.

Applications:

• Single-shot phase retrieval algorithms
• Inverse problems
• Virtual reality systems
• Microscopy
• Adaptive optics

Advantages:

• More accurate
• Effective filtering
• Low stagnation