Phase-shifting algorithms for a finite number of harmonics: first-order analysis by solving linear systems.

From generalized phase-shifting equations, we propose a simple linear system analysis for algorithms with equally and nonequally spaced phase shifts. The presence of a finite number of harmonic components in the fringes of the intensity patterns is taken into account to obtain algorithms insensitive to these harmonics. The insensitivity to detuning for the fundamental frequency is also considered as part of the description of this study. Linear systems are employed to recover the desired insensitivity properties that can compensate linear phase shift errors. The analysis of the wrapped phase equation is carried out in the Fourier frequency domain.