Linear algorithms for phase retrieval in the Fresnel region: validity conditions

We describe the relationship between different forms of linearized expressions for the spatial distribution of intensity of X-ray projection images obtained in the Fresnel region. We prove that under the natural validity conditions some of the previously published expressions can be simplified without a loss of accuracy. We also introduce modified validity conditions which are likely to be fulfilled in many relevant practical cases, and which lead to a further significant simplification of the expression for the image-plane intensity, permitting simple non-iterative linear algorithms for the phase retrieval.