Non-linear phase estimation by computer-aided Markov filtering method: accuracy investigations

The phase and intensity in interference pattern depend on each other nonlinearity. Therefore it is reasonable to minimize the phase errors immediately by nonlinear filtering of interferometric data series. We propose a nonlinear filtering (NLF) method based on the theory of Markov stochastic processes for accurate phase estimation of distorted phase-shifted interferometric data series. It is shown that the Markov NLF (MNLF) method ensures the high noise immunity and accuracy phase estimation of interferometric data provided with the influence of phase fluctuations and correlated Gaussian noise.