Experiments of two pupil lateral motion tracking algorithms using a Shack–Hartmann sensor

Pupil stability is one of the factors which limit the performance and operational stability of adaptive optics (AO) systems. This paper analyses two pupil-tracking methods to measure the lateral pupil shift: the first one utilizes the fluxes in all outer edge sub-apertures of a Shack–Hartmann sensor and the second one utilizes the real-time interaction matrix used in an AO system. Experiments with 9?×?9 Shack–Hartmann sensor are conducted to verify both pupil-tracking algorithms. The results show that both algorithms are effective, after two correction steps, the residual pupil shift is reduced to less than 5% of a Shack–Hartmann sub-aperture.     

Novel methods to improve the measurement accuracy and the dynamic range of Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor

As a wavefront sensor, the Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor plays an important role in the wavefront measurement of human eyes. However, the low measurement accuracy and the small dynamic range of Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor limit its application. In this paper, we present a matched-filter algorithm to improve the measurement accuracy by more than an order of magnitude. Moreover, we also introduce a new algorithm to extend the dynamic range of Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor. With this method, the recorded spots of Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor are not constrained to stay in the corresponding pixel area of the microlens. The result shows that the dynamic range can be extended from 57.1 to 160% for the first 24 items of Zernike wavefronts, respectively. The improvement by our methods makes the Shack–Hartmann more suitable for the measurement of highly aberrated eyes.     

Non-contact technique for testing antique optical instruments based on wavefront sensing

A non-contact method for analysing the image quality of old and delicate optical instruments is proposed. The technique is based on the use of a Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor to obtain the Zernike coefficients of the wavefront at a certain plane, the application of our own software for the calculation of the point spread function (PSF) and a later convolution with the Gaussian image of the object to simulatethe image seen through the instrument. We have applied this technique to a terrestrial telescope from the beginning of the twentieth century. In order to test the quality of the method, the simulated PSFs and images are compared with the real ones. The main advantage of this method lies in the fact that the tested instruments do not suffer any harm due to dismantling or excessive manipulation required to transport it to outdoor observation areas.     

自适应系统中哈特曼波前传感器光斑质心的最佳标定位置

自适应光学系统中采用CCD作为哈特曼波前传感器的光斑质心位置探测器时,由于光斑的高斯宽度较小会带来大采样误差.针对该问题,本文详细分析了采样误差形成的原因,建立了采样误差、位移敏感度和开环动态范围与光斑高斯宽度、光斑位置以及子孔径大小的数学模型,提出标定时光斑质心的最佳位置是子孔径中心四像素的中心.因为在该位置处,CCD的质心探测具有闭环时采样误差为0,位移敏感度最大,且开环时动态范围最大的特点,为哈特曼波前传感器的标定方法的研究提供了理论依据.     

全光路像差校正自适应光学系统中共模波前传感器标定方法研究

根据光波在介质中的传播规律,首先详细分析了全光路像差校正自适应光学系统的工作原理,然后对常规方法标定共模波前传感器后的系统校正残余误差作了分析,并从校正残余误差和操作的简易程度两个方面分析了常规方法标定共模波前传感器存在的缺点,最后针对全光路像差校正自适应光学系统的特点,提出了两种新的共模波前传感器标定方法,详细推导了两种方法标定共模波前传感器后全系统的校正残余误差.结果显示,两种方法标定共模波前传感器后,其校正残余误差只与常规方法标定共模波前传感器后系统的校正残余误差中的一种误差有关.     

An ocular wavefront sensor based on binary phase element: design and analysis

A modal wavefront sensor for ocular aberrations exhibits two main advantages compared to a conventional Shack–Hartmann sensor. As the wavefront is detected in the Fourier plane, the method is robust against local loss of information (e.g. local opacity of ocular lens as in the case of cataract), and is not dependent on the spatial distribution of wavefront sampling. We have proposed a novel method of wavefront sensing for ocular aberrations that directly detects the strengths of Zernike aberrations. A multiplexed Fourier computer-generated hologram has been designed as the binary phase element (BPE) for the detection of second-order and higher-order ocular aberrations (HOAs). The BPE design has been validated by comparing the simulated far-field pattern with the experimental results obtained by displaying it on a spatial light modulator. Simulation results have demonstrated the simultaneous wavefront detection with an accuracy better that ～λ/30 for a measurement range of ±2.1λ with reduced cross-talk. Sensor performance is validated by performing a numerical experiment using the City data set for test waves containing second-order and HOAs and measurement errors of 0.065?µm peak-to-valley (PV) and 0.08?µm (PV) have been obtained, respectively.     

Cw industrial rod YAG:Nd(3+) laser with an intracavity active bimorph mirror

A special type of resonator with an intracavity wide-aperture active mirror was built, and a concave spherical bimorph active corrector was investigated. An increase of laser beam quality by a factor of 2-2.5 was achieved in a multimode regime of laser generation with an intracavity-controlled mirror. It was shown that various radiation mode structures could be formed at the laser output and in the far-field zone.     

Spectroscopic evaluation of Zn(PO3)2:Dy3+ glass as an active medium for solid state yellow laser

A spectroscopic investigation of zinc phosphate glass activated with 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mol% of Dy(PO₃)₃ is performed through absorption and luminescence spectra and decay times to study its potentialities for yellow laser operation upon excitation at 399 nm, which fits to the requirements of GaN LEDs. In the 1.0 mol% Dy(PO₃)₃-doped glass a quantum efficiency of 80 ± 5% was estimated for the dysprosium ⁴F_9/2 level luminescence, the ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2 yellow emission shows greater intensity than the ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_15/2 blue emission, as well as a very high optical gain, which might make this glass phosphor a promising gain medium for solid state yellow laser pumped by GaN LEDs.     

On using different finite elements with an automatic adaptive refinement procedure for the solution of 2-D stress analysis problems

A series of numerical tests is carried out employing some commonly used finite elements for the solution of 2-D elastostatic stress analysis problems with an automatic adaptive refinement procedure. Different kinds of elements including Lagrangian quadrilateral and triangular elements, serendipity quadrilaterals, incompatible elements and hybrid elements have been tested. It is found that for a general problem involving compressible material and when a moderate accuracy of the final solution is sought, the nine-node Lagrangian (L9) element will be the most effective element, while when an extremely accurate solution is needed, higher order Lagrangian quadrilaterals or triangles will be a suitable choice. However, if only linear elements are available, the well known 5βI linear hybrid element is the best choice. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.