Correct-image reconstruction in the presence of severe anamorphism by means of digital holography

It is demonstrated for the first time to the authors' knowledge that digita l holographic image reconstruction can be applied to correction of image re construction in the presence of severe anamorphism and aberrations. It is s hown that anamorphism and aberrations can be taken into account and compens ated for separately to yield a correct-image reconstruction. Anamorphism an d aberrations are introduced by a holographic recording system based on a r eflective grating interferometer (RGI). The strong anamorphic behavior of t he RGI prevents reconstruction of a correct image unless that behavior is c ompensated for in the process of numerical holographic reconstruction. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.