Implementing the Unscented Kalman Filter for Phase Unwrapping and Denoising of Shearing Interferometry Images

The Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) is a robust signal processing tool that is computationally efficient and is able to provide accurate analysis despite a large amount of noise. It is often used to track object trajectories and has previously been applied to interferometry analysis. In this research, the UKF will be applied to plasma laser interferometry images. The UKF will be used to unwrap the interference fringes and simultaneously remove noise. The unwrapped phase will then be used to determine the electron density and spatial information. The use of the UKF and the associated algorithm follows “Practical phase unwrapping of interferometric fringes based on unscented Kalman filter technique” [1], which details the math involved in the UKF and its application to multiple interferograms from different experiments. This project seeks to devise a computer program that efficiently analyses plasma laser interferometry data with minimal error and little human interference. The success of this project will allow for rapid, precise analysis of plasma laser interferograms.

[1] Cheng, Zhongtao & Liu, Dong & Yang, Yongying & Ling, Tong & Zhang, Lei & Bai, Jian & Shen, Yibing & Miao, Liang & Huang, Wei. (2015). Practical phase unwrapping of interferometric fringes based on unscented Kalman filter technique. Optics Express. 23. 32337. 10.1364/OE.23.032337.