Phase unwrapping algorithm for a segmented phase based on iterative pseudo-phase inpainting

Segmented phase unwrapping is an intractable problem in the phase-shifting technique. To solve the problem, this Letter presents an iterative pseudo-phase inpainting algorithm (IPPI). By means of image inpainting, the IPPI can be used to realize the pseudo-phases connecting each other among these phase islands. The error points in the pseudo-phases can be reduced by iterations of phase inpainting with the assistance of the reference pseudo-phase obtained by introducing the numerical carrier frequency and using the 2D Fourier transform. Compared with other methods, the proposed algorithm does not have to do any processing on the effective area of the wrapped phase, which ensures the authenticity of the result. The simulated and experimental verifications show that the proposed method not only possesses high precision, but also can be applied to a segmented phase with severe noise.