Phase retrieval and coherent diffraction imaging by a linear scanning pinhole sampling array

We propose a new method for phase retrieval and coherent diffraction imaging by a specially designed pinhole sampling array (PSA) based on a liquid crystal spatial light modulation. We demonstrate that the phase and the amplitude of the wave front passing through a pinhole sampling array plate can be directly extracted from the inverse Fourier transform of the far-field diffraction intensity pattern. Scanning the whole surface of the wave front by such a series of the PSA plates, we can assemble the extracted complex amplitude to a two-dimensional discrete distribution of the sampled wave front covering the entire PSA plate plane in the scanning consequence. We called it linear scanning pinhole sampling array (LSPSA). Thus the wave front can be reconstructed which avoids any iterative algorithms. Furthermore, it provides a feasible approach for lensless coherent diffraction imaging in real-time.

Research Highlights► We propose pinhole sampling array for phase retrieval and coherent diffraction imaging. ► The pinhole array is made up of reference pinhole and sampling pinholes. ► Complex amplitude can be extracted from far-field diffraction intensity pattern ► Wave front is reconstructed by the assembled discrete distributions. ► Coherent diffraction imaging is confirmed in real-time experimentally.