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Simple broadband implementation of a phase contrast wavefront sensor for adaptive opticsThe most critical element of an adaptive optics system is its wavefront sensor, which must measure the closed-loop difference between the corrected wavefront and an ideal template at high speed, in real time, over a dense sampling of the pupil. Most high-order systems have used Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors, but a novel approach based on Zernike's phase contrast principle appears promising. In this paper we discuss a simple way to achromatize such a phase contrast wavefront sensor, using the pi/2 phase difference between reflected and transmitted rays in a thin, symmetric beam splitter. We further model the response at a range of wavelengths to show that the required transverse dimension of the focal-plane phase-shifting spot, nominally lambda/D, may not be very sensitive to wavelength, and so in practice additional optics to introduce wavelength-dependent transverse magnification achromatizing this spot diameter may not be required. A very simple broadband implementation of the phase contrast wavefront sensor results.
Document ID
20060044188
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Bloemhof, E. E.
Wallace, J. K.
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
December 13, 2004
Publication Information
Publication: Optics Express
Volume: 12
Issue: 25
Subject Category
Optics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
wavefront sensors
adaptive optics systems

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