Generalized virtual wave propagation model for a configurable DMD-based multiple-plane phase retrieval method

Area of Science:

• Optical imaging
• Computational optics
• Phase retrieval

Background:

• Mechanical camera translations in multiple-plane phase retrieval increase acquisition time.
• Digital micro-mirror devices (DMDs) offer potential for faster phase retrieval via virtual wave propagation.
• Previous DMD applications primarily used orthogonal mirror layouts, leaving diagonal layouts unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate virtual wave propagation with diagonal-mirror DMDs in 4f systems with magnification.
• To address the discrepancy between virtual propagation and manual translations caused by scaling distortion and magnification.
• To propose a generalized framework for DMD-based phase retrieval.

Main Methods:

• Implemented virtual wave propagation using a diagonal-mirror DMD in a 4f system.
• Developed a novel Fourier analysis-based model to account for magnification and scaling distortion.
• Introduced a calibration method to determine compensating factors and misalignments.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated that standard virtual wave propagation fails with diagonal-mirror DMDs and non-unity magnification.
• The proposed model successfully replicated fields obtained by manual translations in simulations and experiments.
• Validated the generalized framework for various DMD layouts and 4f magnifications.

Conclusions:

• A novel virtual wave propagation model corrects for scaling distortion and magnification in DMD-based phase retrieval.
• The proposed method provides a generalized and accurate approach for phase retrieval, irrespective of DMD configuration or system magnification.
• This work advances DMD applications in optical imaging and phase retrieval techniques.