Zero difference algorithm for phase shift extraction in blind phase-shifting holography

A simple noniterative algorithm for retrieval of the unknown phase shifts in phase-shifting holography is proposed. In this algorithm, the phase shift value between two phase-shifting holograms can be calculated through a simple analytical formula that is derived according to the fact that there exist some points whose intensity difference between two phase-shifting holograms is equal to zero. Both the simulated and experimental results demonstrated the feasibility of this so-called zero difference algorithm over a wide range of phase shifts.