Design and demonstration of a dual-plane imager

Using a dual-plane imaging system, with an optional spatial light modulator, several phase retrieval methods are developed. The design of the optical setup is detailed along with the practical lab considerations required for a real-world build. Limitations on the optical path lengths, lens prescriptions, and sampling considerations for the focal planes are discussed. In addition to the basic configuration, neural image sharpening is used to validate some of the results. The basic optical system is demonstrated in the laboratory. The Gerchberg-Saxton phase retrieval algorithm is used on the focal plane and pupil plane images. Multiple image-plane and pupil-plane images were captured to increase the SNR for improved performance. An modified GS algorithm was applied to the captured images with the ability to use the multiple sets. The optics are extended to include an SLM at the pupil plane for amplitude modulation of the light at the pupil. This permits more complex and even faster phase retrieval algorithms to be demonstrated in the future. The imaging system will be extended in the future from the laboratory to a longer range in a real-world environment.