Spatial and temporal carrier fringe pattern demodulation using the one-dimensional continuous wavelet transform: Recent progress, challenges, and suggested developments

Abstract

This paper presents a thorough discussion on the application of the one-dimensional continuous wavelet transform (1D-CWT) in order to retrieve phase information in temporally and spatially tilted fringe patterns and highlights recent progress and challenges. The paper also suggests some possible future developments for this method. The advantages and drawbacks of the one-dimensional continuous wavelet transform technique are discussed here and in this context are compared to the widely used methods of Fourier fringe analysis, phase stepping and the windowed Fourier transform. A description is given of the manner in which the CWT phase gradient and phase estimation methods may be used to extract the phase of fringe patterns, and these two methods are compared and contrasted. Five different ridge extraction algorithms are explained and the performance of three of these is evaluated. To alleviate the distortions that may occur at the image borders and at regions close to holes in fringe patterns, two methods are described and evaluated for extending the image edges and for filling in holes within fringe patterns. A novel mother wavelet is presented which has been designed to improve the ability of the continuous wavelet transform to analyse fringe patterns that contain sudden phase variations. The sampling and structural conditions that are required to obtain 'correct' phase are also discussed. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.