New developments in transport of intensity equation for phase retrieval and computational imaging

Abstract

The commonly known transport of intensity equation (TIE) was proposed by Teague as a method for the deterministic optical phase-retrieval problem. The aim is to deduce optical phase from only intensity measurements using non-interferometric techniques. Compared to many other phase retrieval algorithms, TIE is non-iterative, purely computational and no complicated auxiliary device needs to be introduced. In this paper, we introduce some recent developments in TIE phase retrieval and microscopy: including its fast numerical solution, treatment of boundary problem and the low-frequency artifacts, and two configurations for dynamic phase imaging. We also reexamine TIE in terms of phase-space optics, demonstrating the effect of partially coherent illumination on phase reconstruction, and connecting it to light field imaging at the geometry optics limit.