Sub-pixel registration method for phase diversity wavefront sensor using spatial light modulator

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to develop sub-pixel registration method for adaptive optics system using phase diversity wavefront sensing with a spatial light modulator (SLM). The SLM which is used for wavefront compensation applies multiple time-series known wavefronts as a priori information to the optical system. By using the SLM for the phase diversity generator, it is possible to select the optimal number and shape of phase diversities for various kinds of natural modes of wavefront aberrations which are represented by the Zernike polynomials. In this case, a misregistration of several diversity images has to be compensated before using phase diversity algorithm. We extracted phase diversity method to estimate not only wavefront aberration but also parallel shift between images simultaneously. The suggested method was validated by numerical simulations, and the high estimation accuracy of the distorted wavefront was demonstrated, and nearly diffraction limited images were acquired by wavefront compensation by preventing noise due to misregistrations.