Adaptive optics based on linear phase retrieval technique: numerical simulation and experimental demonstration

Abstract

Phase retrieval technique is one of the most important methods to measure the wavefront in adaptive optics. In this paper, a linear phase retrieval (LPR) technique used in close-loop adaptive optics (AO) is introduced. The performance of a close-loop AO system based on the LPR sensor is researched using numerical simulations first. Then an AO experimental system based on LPR sensor is set up with a 32-element piezoelectric deformable mirror (DM). The static phase aberration correction experiment is carried out to research the valid range of phase aberration that can be corrected and the dynamic characteristic. Both the numerical simulation results and the experimental results show that the LPR technique can be used in adaptive optics to correct the small phase aberration successfully. The dynamic characteristic shows that the LPR sensor may be used in real-time AO system in future.