Wavefront sensing with random amplitude mask and phase retrieval

A light beam with an ideal wavefront that is transmitted or reflected from an object is modified by different characteristics of the object such as shape, refractive index, density, or temperature. Wavefront sensing therefore yields valuable information about the system or the changes happening to the system. A new method for wavefront sensing using a random amplitude mask and a phase retrieval method based on the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld wave propagation equation is described. The proposed method has many potential applications ranging from phase contrast imaging and measurement of lens aberration to shape measurement of three-dimensional objects.