Single-shot phase retrieval based on anisotropic metasurface

Phase retrieval is a generic calculating phase method through intensity images and prior conditions. Usually, the image recording system requires stable mechanical movement and accurate alignment between different phase-shift images, which greatly limits the imaging speed and stability, resulting in mismatch or low phase retrieval quality. In this work, we propose a single-shot polarization-sensitive phase retrieval developed from triple transport of the intensity method with anisotropic metasurface. By applying gradient phase along the interface, three images with diffractive phase differences are projected on the recording plane. The three images are formed with known diffraction distances due to the conjugate Pancharatnam−Berry phase modulation of metasurface. The recorded images are calculated and post-processed using transport of intensity equation technique to obtain the phase of object. As a proof-of-principle, we demonstrate the phase imaging results through measuring phase-only objects with single-shot capture. Compared to traditional transport-of-intensity equation optical systems, our method requires no mechanical or system tuning, and polarization or electric controller switching. Thus, it can acquire three differently focused images with single-shot. This significantly improves the time efficiency of the experiments. Such compact metadevice with simplified manipulation and easy post-processing for phase retrieval can be applied to various applications, such as optical microscopy, fluid measurement, and on-ship integration.