Phase retrieval of non-continuous fringe patterns by a genetic data reduction algorithm

In this work we focus on the possibilities of recovering the phase from a single fringe pattern that do not have a fringe order sequence or whose fringes are broken. The phase is obtained with a polynomial fitting method whose coefficients are calculated with a genetic algorithm technique that constrains the smoothness of the solutions of a merit function. It is explained how conjugate gradient methods fail in the solution of the proposed merit function. Experimental results are presented using discontinuous fringe patterns obtained from a grazing incidence interferometer while testing a polishing tool.