Grating holographic interferometry

A holographic interferometric technique combining an image hologram with a grating approach is proposed for 3-D deformation measurements on opaque planar object surfaces. In this technique, the holographic plate is brought close to the object surface, onto which a high-frequency crossed-line diffraction grating has been replicated. The grating surface produces multiple object waves rather than the usual diffusely reflected object waves. The double-exposed single holograms can be reconstructed at multiple off-axis angles. Four independent high-contrast fringe patterns are extracted simultaneously. Displacement vectors over the entire measurement area are separated in three orthogonal directions. The resultant displacements are presented as 3-D meshed plots and topographic contour maps. The optical system for both recording and reconstruction of the holograms has been simplified compared to conventional holographic interferometry. Experimental errors associated with fringe readout and system geometry are reduced because of the sharp images and the well-defined spatial orientation in the reconstruction system. (Author)