Single-shot freeform surface profiler

We propose a novel and simple method of single-shot freeform surface profiler based on spatially phase-shifted lateral shearing interferometry. By the adoption of birefringent materials, the laterally shearing waves are simply generated without any bulky and complicated optical components. Moreover, the phase maps that lead to the 3D profile of the freeform surface can be instantly obtained by the spatial phase-shifting technique using a pixelated polarizing camera. The proposed method was theoretically described and verified by measuring several samples in comparison to the measurement results with a well-established stylus probe.