Parameter estimation of optical fringes with quadratic phase using the fractional Fourier transform

Optical fringes with a quadratic phase are often encountered in optical metrology. Parameter estimation of such fringes plays an important role in interferometric measurements. A novel method is proposed for accurate and direct parameter estimation using the fractional Fourier transform (FRFT), even in the presence of noise and obstacles. We take Newton׳s rings fringe patterns and electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) interferograms as classic examples of optical fringes that have a quadratic phase and present simulation and experimental results demonstrating the performance of the proposed method.