Complex-amplitude-based phase unwrapping method for digital holographic microscopy

A complex-amplitude-based phase unwrapping approach for digital holographic microscopy is proposed in this paper. A quality map is derived directly from the reconstructed complex amplitude distribution of object wave to evaluate noise influence and phase reliability in the wrapped phase image. Quality-guided phase unwrapping algorithm is then implemented with the quality map to retrieve continuous phase profile. Unwrapping errors caused by unreliable phase data are successfully suppressed. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated with simulation and experimental results.

► A complex-amplitude-based phase unwrapping method for DHM is proposed.
► A novel quality map is defined with reconstructed complex amplitude image.
► Phase unwrapping procedure is guided by the quality map.
► Unwrapping errors induced by unreliable phase data are suppressed.
► Simulation and experimental results prove the feasibility of proposed method.