Technique for reconstructing a surface shape for measuring coordinates

This paper describes a method of projecting interference fringes as one of the most accessible techniques for measuring the coordinates of objects and scenes that can be used when solving inverse problems in dynamic holographic display, where the coordinates need to be measured in order to compute diffraction structures when reconstructing three-dimensional images. A comparative analysis is presented of the experimental results obtained with successive projections of interference patterns with two different periods, using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer in coherent light and a micromirror projector with digital generation of fringes in white light. The use of the method is limited by the size of the objects and scenes. The possibilities of using more refined methods, including the holographic approach to phase reconstruction, are discussed. © 2006 Optical Society of America.