Spatial phase stepping method of fringe-pattern analysis

A new method of fringe-pattern analysis by spatial phase stepping (SPS) is presented. SPS combines the computational simplicity of phase stepping with the single image analysis capability of the Fourier transform method. The technique works by subdividing a linearised fringe pattern into three component images, from which the phase is calculated by a three phase step algorithm. A computer simulation has been undertaken to demonstrate the theory and enable an analysis of systematic errors. In addition, two experimental transonic flow fields are solved by SPS and a comparison is made with results derived using the Fourier transform method.