Automatic phase unwrapping algorithm for reconstruction of three-dimensional objects

Phase unwrapping plays a very important role in noncontact optical profilometries and interforometric techniques. This phase unwrapping process is often hindered by the presence of noise, spots of low-intensity modulation, and the instability of the solutions. We present a systematic approach to the problem by formulating the phase solving and unwrapping as an ill-posed problem. By using the regularization method and taking intensity modulation into consideration, we will be able to provide a unified view to address various challenges in the problem. A new fully automated algorithm for phase unwrapping based on this approach is also presented.