A novel algorithm for branch cut phase unwrapping

Branch cut method is a powerful noise-immune algorithm for correct phase unwrapping of noisy phase maps. The shortest branch cut length promises the optimal unwrapping result of the wrapped phase maps. A new algorithm is proposed to search for the shortest branch cut length by simple exchange operation. Although the algorithm is on the basis of stochastic search techniques, it has a high probability of finding the shortest branch cut length or an approximation of it. Compared with the traditional algorithms, the algorithm is fast and competitive.

Research highlights► Exchange algorithm is proposed for branch cut phase unwrapping. ► High probability of finding the shortest branch cut length can be obtained. ► Compared with the traditional methods, the cost time is considerably reduced.