Phase retrieval for multiple objects from their averaged diffraction

The problem of reconstructing multiple objects from the average of their diffracted intensities is investigated. Reconstruction feasibility (uniqueness) depends on the number of objects, their support shapes and dimensionality, and an appropriately calculated constraint ratio. For objects with sufficiently different supports, and a favorable constraint ratio, the reconstruction problem has a unique solution. For objects with identical supports, there can be multiple solutions, even with a favorable constraint ratio. However, positivity of the objects and noncentrosymmetry of the support reduce the number of multiple solutions, and a unique solution may exist with a favorable constraint ratio. An iterative projection based algorithm to reconstruct the individual objects is described. The efficacy of the reconstruction algorithm and the uniqueness results are demonstrated by simulation.