Iterative phase retrieval strategy of transient events

Important nuances of a process or processes in action can be obtained from the phase retrieval of diffraction patterns for analysis of transient events. A significant limitation associated with the iterative approach is that predictive input functions are needed and can result in situations of nonconvergence. In dealing with a transient event recorded as a series of Fourier magnitude patterns, such a hit-and-miss characteristic, on the surface, appears computationally daunting. We report and demonstrate a strategy here that effectively minimizes this by using a prior retrieved frame as the predictive function for the current retrieval process.