Phase shifting imaging module and method of imaging

1. A phase shifting imaging module comprising:

a first beam splitter configured to split an image radiation beam into first and second image radiation beams;

a first prism configured to align the first and second image radiation beams;

a second beam splitter configured to split the first and second image radiation beams into four image radiation beams;

a second prism configured to align the four image radiation beams;

a phase mask that receives the four image radiation beams and is configured to introduce a phase retardation between the four image radiation beams resulting in four phase shifted image radiation beams; and

a pixilated sensor configured to generate image data based upon each of the four phase shifted image radiation beams.

2. The phase shifting imaging module of claim 1 , wherein the phase mask is disposed between the second beam splitter and the pixilated sensor.

3. The phase shifting imaging module of claim 1 , wherein the first or second beam splitter comprises a prism film.

4. The phase shifting imaging module of claim 1 , wherein the first or second beam splitter comprises a prism.

5. The phase shifting imaging module of claim 4 , wherein the prism comprises a right angle prism.

6. The phase shifting imaging module of claim 1 , wherein the pixilated sensor comprises a charge-coupled device.

7. The phase shifting module of claim 1 , wherein the image radiation beam comprises a coherent electromagnetic radiation.

8. The phase shifting module of claim 7 , wherein the image radiation beam comprises a spectral range visible to the human eye.

9. The phase shifting module of claim 1 , wherein the phase mask comprises at least one quarter wave polarizer.

10. An imaging system comprising:

at least one radiation source configured to illuminate a part surface to be tested;

at least one lens configured to collimate a radiation beam;

at least one polarizer configured to polarize the radiation beam; and

a phase shifting imaging module configured to split the radiation beam into four aligned radiation beams, and to then phase shift the four aligned radiation beams, the phase shifting imaging module comprising:

a first beam splitter configured to split an image radiation beam into first and second image radiation beams;

a first prism configured to align the first and second image radiation beams;

a second beam splitter configured to split the first and second image radiation beams into four image radiation beams;

a second prism configured to align the four image radiation beams; and

a phase mask that receives the four image radiation beams and is configured to introduce a phase retardation between the four image radiation beams resulting in four phase shifted image radiation beams.

11. The imaging system of claim 10 , wherein the imaging system comprises a handheld imager.

12. The imaging system of claim 10 , further comprising two radiation sources radiating at different wavelengths.

13. The imaging system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one radiation source comprises a diode laser.

14. The imaging system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one polarizer comprises a quarter wave plate, or a half wave plate.

15. The imaging system of claim 10 , wherein the phase shifting imaging module comprises a pixilated sensor to generate an image data based upon each of the four phase shifted image radiation beams.

16. The imaging system of claim 10 , wherein the imaging system is coupled to a workstation.

17. A method for measuring a surface feature of a part with a coherent image radiation source, comprising:

irradiating a surface with a coherent electromagnetic radiation beam;

receiving an image radiation beam from the surface;

splitting the image radiation beam into first and second image radiation beams;

aligning the first and second image radiation beams;

splitting the first and the second image radiation beams into four radiation beams;

aligning the four radiation beams;

phase shifting the four radiation beams after alignment; and

generating image data via a pixilated sensor.