Two-dimensional wave-front reconstruction from lateral shearing interferograms

An algorithm is proposed to reconstruct two-dimensional wave-front from phase differences measured by lateral shearing interferometer. Two one-dimensional phase profiles of object wave-front are computed using Fourier transform from phase differences, and then the two-dimensional wave-front distribution is retrieved by use of least-square fitting. The algorithm allows large shear amount and works fast based on fast Fourier transform. Investigations into reconstruction accuracy and reliability are carried out by numerical experiments, in which effects of different shear amounts and noises on reconstruction accuracy are evaluated. Optical measurement is made in a lateral shearing interferometer based on double-grating. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.