Two-dimensional characteristic polynomials in the direct calculation of optical phase sum and difference

Two-stage phase shifting algorithms make possible to directly recover the sum or the difference of the encoded optical phase of two different fringe patterns. These algorithms can be constructed, for example, by combining known phase shifting algorithms in a non-linear way. In this work two-stage phase shifting algorithms are linked to a two-dimensional characteristic polynomial to qualitatively analyse their behaviour against the main systematic error sources in an analysis protocol like that used for phase shifting algorithms. This tool enables us to understand the propagation of properties from precursor phase shifting algorithms to new evaluation algorithms that can be built from them.