Wavefront Characterization with Shack-Hartmann versus Phase Retrieval

Imec; Vlaams-Brabant; On-site; EUR 10,000 - 12,000; Full time

Job summary

Imec in Brussels offers a Master internship focused on wavefront characterization for color holography. You will compare Shack–Hartmann sensing with camera-based phase retrieval to characterize the light source across wavelengths, aiming to quantify aberrations and develop methods for color holography.

The project seeks to deliver a practical wavefront calibration framework for high-quality color holographic displays, with supervision from Hyun-su Kim and Raees Muhamad.

Qualifications

• Required educational background for Master internship in physics, nanoscience, or engineering.
• Candidates should be self-motivated and able to work in Brussels within a team.
• Previous experience with computational holography or wavefront analysis is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Characterize the wavefront emitted by the light source at different wavelengths.
• Compare Shack–Hartmann sensing and phase retrieval in terms of accuracy, spatial resolution, sensitivity, repeatability, and measurement complexity.
• Quantify wavefront aberrations using phase maps and Zernike decomposition.
• Investigate wavelength-dependent wavefront variations between blue, green, and red emission.
• Demonstrate how the measured wavefront could be used for SLM-based wavefront compensation and color CGH.

Education

Physics

Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Mechanical Engineering

Computer Science

Job description

/ Wavefront Characterization with Shack–Hartmann versus Phase Retrieval

Wavefront Characterization with Shack–Hartmann versus Phase Retrieval

Master internship - Brussel | About a week ago

Physics modeling and simulation for a state-of-the-art semiconductor technology

Computational holography relies on the characteristics of the light source for next-generation display technologies and microscopy. For high-quality color holography, however, the optical field emitted by the light source will need to be accurately characterized. Variations in amplitude, divergence, and wavefront could introduce optical aberrations and degrade holographic image quality.

This project aims to develop a wavefront characterization method for emerging color light sources and to systematically compare Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensing with camera-based phase retrieval.

Objectives

The main objectives are to:

• Characterize the wavefront emitted by the light source at different wavelengths.
• Compare Shack–Hartmann sensing and phase retrieval in terms of accuracy, spatial resolution, sensitivity, repeatability, and measurement complexity.
• Quantify wavefront aberrations using phase maps and Zernike decomposition.
• Investigate wavelength-dependent wavefront variations between blue, green, and red emission.
• Demonstrate how the measured wavefront could be used for SLM-based wavefront compensation and color CGH.

Expected Outcomes

The project is expected to establish a quantitative comparison between Shack–Hartmann sensing and phase retrieval for wavefront characterization, together with a practical wavefront calibration method for color computational holography.

The resulting framework could subsequently be extended toward automated wavefront calibration for high-quality color holographic displays.

Supervisors: Hyun-su Kim ( [e-mail] ) and Raees Muhamad ( [e-mail] )

Duration: 5-9 Months (possible to combine internship and master)

Type of internship: Master internship

Required educational background: Physics, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science

The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-145. Mention this reference code in your application.

Only for self-supporting students.

Computational holography relies on the characteristics of the light source for next-generation display technologies and microscopy. For high-quality color holography, however, the optical field emitted by the light source will need to be accurately characterized. Variations in amplitude, divergence, and wavefront could introduce optical aberrations and degrade holographic image quality.

This project aims to develop a wavefront characterization method for emerging color light sources and to systematically compare Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensing with camera-based phase retrieval.

Objectives

The main objectives are to:

• Characterize the wavefront emitted by the light source at different wavelengths.
• Compare Shack–Hartmann sensing and phase retrieval in terms of accuracy, spatial resolution, sensitivity, repeatability, and measurement complexity.
• Quantify wavefront aberrations using phase maps and Zernike decomposition.
• Investigate wavelength-dependent wavefront variations between blue, green, and red emission.
• Demonstrate how the measured wavefront could be used for SLM-based wavefront compensation and color CGH.

Expected Outcomes

The project is expected to establish a quantitative comparison between Shack–Hartmann sensing and phase retrieval for wavefront characterization, together with a practical wavefront calibration method for color computational holography.

The resulting framework could subsequently be extended toward automated wavefront calibration for high-quality color holographic displays.

Supervisors: Hyun-su Kim ( [e-mail] ) and Raees Muhamad ( [e-mail] )

Duration: 5-9 Months (possible to combine internship and master)

Type of internship: Master internship

Required educational background: Physics, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science

Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Hyun-su Kim ( [e-mail] ) and Raees Kizhakkumkara Muhamad ( [e-mail] )

The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-145. Mention this reference code in your application.

Only for self-supporting students.

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