Comparison of the Shack-Hartmann and fixed-pyramid wavefront sensors in weak to moderately deep turbulence conditions

Abstract

This paper compares the closed-loop, adaptive-optics-system performance obtained with a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (WFS) to that of a fixed-pyramid WFS, assuming a point-source beacon. To quantify performance, the analysis uses wave-optics simulations and calculates the peak Strehl in weak to moderately deep turbulence conditions. Initial results show that the Shack-Hartmann WFS outperforms the fixed-pyramid WFS.

Accuracy Analysis for Shack–Hartmann Wave Front Sensing with Extended Sources

“…By quantifying the real-time shifts between these positions, the wave front's phase distortions and gradient distribution can be determined, providing valuable information about its shape and phase. This information enables the reconstruction of the wave front's shape and the subsequent analysis or correction of distortions in the optical system (see Tako et al 2021), resulting in improved optical performance. Therefore, employing SH-WFS allows for the precise quantification and evaluation of wave front aberrations in optical systems, leading to enhanced imaging capabilities.…”