Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Method for edge detection based on phase jump in a differential interferometer

  • Weidong Zhou
  • , Lilong Cai

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Articlepeer-review

Abstract

We describe a new method for edge detection that uses polarization mixing in a differential heterodyne interferometer. When one of the focused beams of the interferometer scans across an edge, a phase jump of 180° takes place in the very small region of the edge if certain conditions are satisfied. We call this phenomenon phase jump. The conditions in which phase jump can occur are given. The theoretical analysis shows that the slope of a phase jump is infinite and is not affected by step height, the vibration of the sample, or the intensity variation of the light source. Therefore phase jump can be used as the precise index for edge detection. The experimental results show good agreement with the theoretical analysis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)152-159
Number of pages8
JournalApplied Optics
Volume38
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1999

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Method for edge detection based on phase jump in a differential interferometer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this