Modified Fourier-transform method for phase-shift calibration

A fast convergent algorithm to accurately measure phase-shift for phase shifter is proposed. In the presence of a spatial carrier frequency, an error function in the Fourier-domain is introduced and then the unknown phase-shift between two phase-shifted fringe patterns is determined by minimization of the error function with the help of a golden section search approach. Compared with the conventional Fourier-transform method, the modified method proposed in the paper is more immune to random noise and hence can give a more accurate result. The translation curve of a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator is also experimentally calibrated.