A zonal wavefront sensor with multiple detector planes. (14th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pathak, Biswajit; Boruah, Bosanta R
• Is Part Of: Journal of optics. Volume 20:Number 3(2018:Mar.)
• Publication Date: 2018-02-14
• Subjects: wavefront sensing -- multiple detector planes -- centroid detection -- crosstalk; 42.15.Dp -- 42.30.Rx -- 42.40.Eq -- 42.15.Fr; Optics -- Periodicals; 535.05
• DOI: 10.1088/2040-8986/aaaa38
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-8978

Abstract

Abstract: A conventional zonal wavefront sensor estimates the wavefront from the data captured in a single detector plane using a single camera. In this paper, we introduce a zonal wavefront sensor which comprises multiple detector planes instead of a single detector plane. The proposed sensor is based on an array of custom designed plane diffraction gratings followed by a single focusing lens. The laser beam whose wavefront is to be estimated is incident on the grating array and one of the diffracted orders from each grating is focused on the detector plane. The setup, by employing a beam splitter arrangement, facilitates focusing of the diffracted beams on multiple detector planes where multiple cameras can be placed. The use of multiple cameras in the sensor can offer several advantages in the wavefront estimation. For instance, the proposed sensor can provide superior inherent centroid detection accuracy that can not be achieved by the conventional system. It can also provide enhanced dynamic range and reduced crosstalk performance. We present here the results from a proof of principle experimental arrangement that demonstrate the advantages of the proposed wavefront sensing scheme.