Optical vortex metrology based on the core structures of phase singularities in Laguerre-Gauss transform of a speckle pattern

Abstract

A new technique for displacement measurement is proposed that makes use of phase singularities in the complex signal generated by a Laguerre-Gauss filter operation applied to a speckle pattern. The core structures of phase singularities are used as unique fingerprints attached to the object surface, and the displacement is determined by tracing the movement of registered phase singularities with their correspondence being identified by the fingerprints. Experimental results for translational and rotational displacement measurements are presented that demonstrate large dynamic range and high spatial resolution of the proposed optical vortex metrology.