Grating-based in-line geometric-phase-shifting incoherent digital holographic system toward 3D videography

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• 3D Imaging Technologies
• Holography

Background:

• Incoherent digital holography (IDH) offers high-definition 3D imaging under incoherent light.
• Sequential phase-shifting in IDH limits its application in 3D videography due to the need for multiple hologram recordings.
• Existing methods often require specialized sensors, hindering practical implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate a novel grating-based in-line geometric-phase-shifting IDH method.
• To enable single-shot hologram recording for practical 3D videography.
• To achieve high spatial resolution comparable to or exceeding off-axis methods.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a fabricated phase grating to divide orthogonal circularly polarized lights into four copies.
• Introducing geometric phases via a segmented linear polarizer to create self-interference holograms.
• Implementing a single-shot recording mechanism without specialized polarization-sensitive sensors.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated snapshot and video recording of 3D reflective objects.
• Achieved single-shot hologram acquisition, making 3D videography feasible.
• Confirmed the high spatial resolution capabilities of the proposed method.

Conclusions:

• The proposed grating-based in-line geometric-phase-shifting IDH method is feasible for practical 3D imaging.
• This technique overcomes the limitations of sequential recording, enabling real-time 3D videography.
• The method offers a promising advancement in incoherent digital holography for dynamic 3D applications.