Method for eliminating zero spectrum in Fourier transform profilometry

Abstract Windowed Fourier transform (FT) is introduced into Fourier transform profilometry (FTP) to extract zero component included in deformed fringe pattern without capturing two fringe patterns with π phase difference. First, we extract zero component of deformed fringe image using windowed FT and normalize it, then calculate the normalized Fourier spectra of deformed fringe image, finally subtract the zero component from Fourier spectra of deformed fringe image. We give the theoretical analysis of the proposed method. The experiment is carried out to demonstrate that the method can eliminate zero component and extend the measurable slope of height variation to nearly three times of the conventional FTP.