Ulf Schnars

Bio: Ulf Schnars is an academic researcher from Rolf C. Hagen Group. The author has contributed to research in topics: Holography & Digital holography. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 26 publications receiving 4113 citations. Previous affiliations of Ulf Schnars include Airbus & Bremen Institute for Applied Beam Technology.

Direct recording of holograms by a CCD target and numerical reconstruction.

Abstract: The principle of recording holograms directly on a CCD target is described. A real image of the object is reconstructed from the digitally sampled hologram by means of numerical methods.

Digital recording and numerical reconstruction of holograms

Abstract: This article describes the principles and major applications of digital recording and numerical reconstruction of holograms (digital holography). Digital holography became feasible since charged coupled devices (CCDs) with suitable numbers and sizes of pixels and computers with sufficient speed became available. The Fresnel or Fourier holograms are recorded directly by the CCD and stored digitally. No film material involving wet-chemical or other processing is necessary. The reconstruction of the wavefield, which is done optically by illumination of a hologram, is performed by numerical methods. The numerical reconstruction process is based on the Fresnel–Kirchhoff integral, which describes the diffraction of the reconstructing wave at the micro-structure of the hologram. In the numerical reconstruction process not only the intensity, but also the phase distribution of the stored wavefield can be computed from the digital hologram. This offers new possibilities for a variety of applications. Digital holography is applied to measure shape and surface deformation of opaque bodies and refractive index fields within transparent media. Further applications are imaging and microscopy, where it is advantageous to refocus the area under investigation by numerical methods.

Direct phase determination in hologram interferometry with use of digitally recorded holograms

Abstract: A new method of phase determination in hologram interferometry is described. The Fresnel holograms, which represent the undeformed and the deformed states of the object, are generated on a CCD target and stored electronically. No lens or other imaging device is used. The reconstruction is done from the digitally stored holograms with mathematical methods. It is shown that the intensity as well as the phase can be calculated from the digitally sampled holograms. A comparison of the phases of the undeformed and the deformed states permits direct determination of the interference phase.

Digital Holography: Digital Hologram Recording, Numerical Reconstruction, and Related Techniques

Abstract: Fundamental Principles of Holography.- Digital Holography.- Digital Holographic Interferometry (DHI).- Digital Holographic Microscopy.- Special Techniques and Applications.- Speckle Metrology.

Fourier-transform method of fringe-pattern analysis for computer-based topography and interferometry

Abstract: A fast-Fourier-transform method of topography and interferometry is proposed. By computer processing of a noncontour type of fringe pattern, automatic discrimination is achieved between elevation and depression of the object or wave-front form, which has not been possible by the fringe-contour-generation techniques. The method has advantages over moire topography and conventional fringe-contour interferometry in both accuracy and sensitivity. Unlike fringe-scanning techniques, the method is easy to apply because it uses no moving components.

Phase-shifting digital holography

Abstract: A new method for three-dimensional image formation is proposed in which the distribution of complex amplitude at a plane is measured by phase-shifting interferometry and then Fresnel transformed by a digital computer. The method can reconstruct an arbitrary cross section of a three-dimensional object with higher image quality and a wider viewing angle than from conventional digital holography using an off-axis configuration. Basic principles and experimental verification are described.

Digital holography for quantitative phase-contrast imaging.

Abstract: We present a new application of digital holography for phase-contrast imaging and optical metrology. This holographic imaging technique uses a CCD camera for recording of a digital Fresnel off-axis hologram and a numerical method for hologram reconstruction. The method simultaneously provides an amplitude-contrast image and a quantitative phase-contrast image. An application to surface profilometry is presented and shows excellent agreement with contact-stylus probe measurements.

Simultaneous amplitude-contrast and quantitative phase-contrast microscopy by numerical reconstruction of Fresnel off-axis holograms

Abstract: We present a digital method for holographic microscopy involving a CCD camera as a recording device. Off-axis holograms recorded with a magnified image of microscopic objects are numerically reconstructed in amplitude and phase by calculation of scalar diffraction in the Fresnel approximation. For phase-contrast imaging the reconstruction method involves the computation of a digital replica of the reference wave. A digital method for the correction of the phase aberrations is presented. We present a detailed description of the reconstruction procedure and show that the transverse resolution is equal to the diffraction limit of the imaging system.

Digital recording and numerical reconstruction of holograms

Abstract: This article describes the principles and major applications of digital recording and numerical reconstruction of holograms (digital holography). Digital holography became feasible since charged coupled devices (CCDs) with suitable numbers and sizes of pixels and computers with sufficient speed became available. The Fresnel or Fourier holograms are recorded directly by the CCD and stored digitally. No film material involving wet-chemical or other processing is necessary. The reconstruction of the wavefield, which is done optically by illumination of a hologram, is performed by numerical methods. The numerical reconstruction process is based on the Fresnel–Kirchhoff integral, which describes the diffraction of the reconstructing wave at the micro-structure of the hologram. In the numerical reconstruction process not only the intensity, but also the phase distribution of the stored wavefield can be computed from the digital hologram. This offers new possibilities for a variety of applications. Digital holography is applied to measure shape and surface deformation of opaque bodies and refractive index fields within transparent media. Further applications are imaging and microscopy, where it is advantageous to refocus the area under investigation by numerical methods.