Measurement error of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor in strong scintillation conditions

Mark L. Plett; Pierre R. Barbier; David W. Rush; Penelope Polak-Dingels; Bruce Martin Levine

doi:10.1117/12.330219

3 November 1998 Measurement error of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor in strong scintillation conditions

Mark L. Plett, Pierre R. Barbier, David W. Rush, Penelope Polak-Dingels, Bruce Martin Levine

Proceedings Volume 3433, Propagation and Imaging through the Atmosphere II; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.330219
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1998, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Adaptive optics can be used to improve the performance of optical wireless communications links degraded by atmospheric turbulence. Accurate wavefront sensing is necessary for some adaptive optics systems to compensate for the effects of atmospheric turbulence. Although the Shack- Hartmann sensor can provide accurate wavefront sensing under controlled conditions, scintillation can restrict the performance of Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensing by creating large intensity fluctuations. These intensity fluctuations can create errors in the wavefront measurement if the intensity dynamic range of the Shack-Hartmann sensor is exceeded. The result of computer simulations which model the performance of the Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor are presented. Specifically it is shown that the intensity dynamic range of the Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor can be increased by operating with saturated pixels without an increase in error in the measured wavefront. Operating conditions that maximize the intensity dynamic range of the Shack-Hartmann senor are presented. Experimental results are presented which support the results of the computer simulation.

Citation Download Citation

Mark L. Plett, Pierre R. Barbier, David W. Rush, Penelope Polak-Dingels, and Bruce Martin Levine "Measurement error of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor in strong scintillation conditions", Proc. SPIE 3433, Propagation and Imaging through the Atmosphere II, (3 November 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.330219

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