Optimizing Fourier-Filtering WFS to reach sensitivity close to the fundamental limit

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new Fourier-Filtering Wavefront Sensor design that approaches the fundamental photon efficiency limit, enhancing phase measurement accuracy for high-contrast imaging in ground-based telescopes.

Contribution

The paper proposes a novel strategy for designing Fourier-Filtering WFS that achieves near-optimal photon efficiency across various pupil configurations.

Findings

Sensors exhibit high sensitivity close to the fundamental photon limit.

The approach is adaptable to different pupil shapes.

Potential improvements in wavefront correction accuracy.

Abstract

To reach the full potential of the new generation of ground based telescopes, an extremely fine adjustment of the phase is required. Wavefront control and correction before detection has therefore become one of the cornerstones of instruments to achieve targeted performance, especially for high-contrast imaging. A crucial feature of accurate wavefront control leans on the wavefront sensor (WFS). We present a strategy to design new Fourier-Filtering WFS that encode the phase close from the fundamental photon efficiency limit. This strategy seems promising as it generates highly sensitive sensors suited for different pupil shape configurations.