An iterative wave-front sensing algorithm for high-contrast imaging systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces an iterative optimization algorithm capable of accurately measuring large static wave-front errors from a single focal plane image, enhancing high-contrast imaging system performance.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel iterative wave-front sensing algorithm that reconstructs large static wave-front errors directly from one focal plane image, improving upon existing methods.

Findings

High-precision wave-front reconstruction demonstrated in simulations

Effective measurement of large static wave-front errors from a single image

Potential application in high-contrast imaging systems

Abstract

Wave-front sensing from focal plane multiple images is a promising technique for high-contrast imaging systems. However, the wave-front error of an optics system can be properly reconstructed only when it is very small. This paper presents an iterative optimization algorithm for the measurement of large static wave-front errors directly from only one focal plane image. We firstly measure the intensity of the pupil image to get the pupil function of the system and acquire the aberrated image on the focal plane with a phase error that is to be measured. Then we induce a dynamic phase to the tested pupil function and calculate the associated intensity of the reconstructed image on the focal plane. The algorithm is to minimize the intensity difference between the reconstructed image and the tested aberrated image on the focal plane, where the induced phase is as the variable of the optimization algorithm. The simulation shows that the wave-front of an optics system can be theoretically reconstructed with a high precision, which indicates that such an iterative algorithm may be an effective way for the wave-front sensing for high-contrast imaging systems.