In prior work we described a 5x5 ray matrix formalism and how to integrate the effects that are not modeled in wave-optics
with the ray matrix model. In this paper we describe how to complete the integration of the two techniques by
modifying the Siegman ABCD ray matrix decomposition. After removing the separable effects like image rotation and
image inversion, we break the 5x5 ray matrix into two 2x2 sections (a.k.a. the ABCD matrices) that correspond to the
two axes orthogonal to the propagation. We then present a general algorithm that breaks any arbitrary ABCD matrix
into four simple wave-optics steps. The algorithm presented has sufficient generality to handle image planes and focal
planes. This technique allows for rapid and accurate wave-optics modeling of the propagation of light through complex
optical systems comprised of simple optics.
Focal plane filters are being used to implement wave front sensors in high-resolution adaptive optics systems. We present experimental results obtained with a closed-loop adaptive optics system that uses a differential phase- contrast focal plane filter. The differential filter in our system is implemented using an electrically-addressed liquid-crystal spatial light modulator (LCSLM) operated in a phase-mostly mode. Two additional phase-mostly LCSLM devices are used in our experiment. One is used as a phase screen to introduce simulated turbulence into the propagating input beam, and the other is used as the wave front corrector driven by closed-loop feedback signals from the phase- contrast wave front sensor. This paper describes the system implementation and presents some preliminary experimental results.
Phase screens are often used to simulate atmospheric turbulence in systems designed to test adaptive optics techniques. This paper presents the design and implementation of a dynamic phase screen using a simple and inexpensive twisted nematic liquid crystal display taken from a video projector and placed in a pupil plane. The details of the optical system layout, the system alignment procedure, and the operating parameters of the liquid crystal display are discussed. Examples of turbulence (having strength and statistics similar to measured values of atmospheric turbulence in a variety of scenarios) are written to the phase screen, and the effects of the turbulence on image quality are measured and presented.
This paper gives a general overview of the application of focal plane masks to adaptive optical wavefront sensing systems, and shows how they are related to several wavefront sensor used in optical shop testing. The results of several numerical simulation of a wavefront sensor based on a phase contrast type focal plane mask are then presented. In the last section, we outline a proposal for a wavefront sensor based on a dark ground type focal plane mask. This method can be used in conjunction with fiber based optical interferometers to yield an adaptive optics system which does not need to take corrected light from the observation path for use in the analysis of the aberrations. Only aberrated light is taken from the observation path and sent to the wavefront sensor, thus creating a very economical wavefront sensor.
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