Parallel two-step spatial carrier phase-shifting common-path interferometer with a Ronchi grating outside the Fourier plane

Abstract

A parallel two-step spatial carrier phase-shifting common-path interferometer with a Ronchi grating placed outside the Fourier plane is proposed in this paper for quantitative phase imaging. Two phase-shifted interferograms with spatial carrier can be captured simultaneously using the proposed interferometer. The dc term can be eliminated by subtracting the two phase-shifted interferograms, and the phase of a specimen can be reconstructed through Fourier transform. The validity and stability of the interferometer proposed are experimentally demonstrated via the measurement of a phase plate.