In the present work, we propose a novel reference-less wavefront sensing method in a grating array-based wavefront sensor (GAWS). The proposed sensing method utilizes both +1 and -1 diffraction orders. The key idea is that when there is a local tilt in the wavefront, the array of +1 and -1 diffracted spots move in opposite directions due to their optical phase conjugate relationship but share a common reference position. By determining the displacement of these spots, the reference position can be precisely determined, and the local slope can be extracted from which the incident wavefront can be estimated. The proposed sensing method facilitates wavefront estimation using a single camera frame and is compatible with standard wavefront estimation algorithms. This proposed method proves particularly advantageous in scenarios where a highquality wavefront is unavailable as a reference. We have validated the effectiveness of our proposed method through simulation results.
The two-dimensional array of microlenses used in Shack Hartmann wavefront sensors (SHWS) is an important element. Fabrication of such microlenses, however, can be an expensive and tedious process as it involves several stages that require high precision. These stringent fabrication conditions place limitations on its uses for different applications that require ease in alteration of parameters such as the number of elements, diameter of the lenses, and focal length of the array. In the present work, we demonstrate the implementation of inkjet-printed liquid crystal (LC) microlens arrays as a reliable alternative to that of the conventional microlenses used in SHWS. The fabrication of bespoke LC microlenses is rapid and economical and offers a number of flexibilities to easily tailor key parameters based on user requirements. Proof-of-concept experimental results are included that demonstrate the applicability of the LC microlens arrays for wavefront sensing.
The grating array-based wavefront sensor (GAWS) is a programmable version of the popular Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWS) that consists of a 2D array of plane binary diffraction gratings and a single focusing lens. In the present work, a multiplexed GAWS (MGAWS) is proposed that generates a pair of low- and high-sampling zonal spots, simultaneously, having different dimensions and spatial frequencies. Realisation of both the low- and high-sampling zonal spots will allow to perform a sequence of zonal sensing in succession such that it results in reduced zonal cross-talk and improved dynamic range, in the presence of higher order aberrations. Proof-of-concept simulation results are presented to demonstrate the working of proposed MGAWS and its performance is also compared with conventional GAWS.
Speckle reduction is important in interferometry-based arrangements in order to improve the accuracy and precision of the measurement as such speckle patterns can obscure the underlying fringes, making it difficult to analyze or interpret the results. In the present work, we demonstrate the implementation of a chiral nematic liquid crystal (LC) based diffuser as a tool to mitigate the influence of speckles in an interferometry arrangement. Such LC based diffusers are controlled by adjusting the applied voltage to modulate the phase of the incident light dynamically to create a temporally varying random phase mask that can reduce the impact of spatially varying speckle noise. Proof-of-concept experimental results are included to demonstrate the reduction of speckle in an interferometric arrangement using chiral nematic LC materials. Quality metric parameters are also defined to analyse and quantify the amount of reduction for different values of the applied voltage to the LC diffuser.
Digital holography microscopy (DHM) has emerged as a powerful digital holographic imaging technique for dynamic three-dimensional phase reconstruction of microscopic samples. Recently, a Fresnel biprism has been introduced into the conventional DHM arrangement, making the configuration common path, off-axis and eliminating the requirement for different optical components, such as, beam-splitter, mirrors, etc. The recorded hologram in a DHM is mostly contaminated with speckle noise, which makes it difficult to interpret the phase information correctly. In the present work, we investigate the phase reconstruction accuracy in a Fresnel biprism based DHM, utilizing different Fourier terms, in the presence of low and high coherent sources. Different Fourier terms has been realised by modifying the recorded hologram in order to minimize the contribution of speckle noise in the reconstructed phase. Proof-of-concept simulation and experimental results are included for blood sample to demonstrate the accuracy in phase reconstruction in a Fresnel biprism based DHM.
Imaging through a multimode fiber (MMF) with a spatial-resolution beyond the diffraction limit has recently been demonstrated using computational super-resolution methods. We performed a modelling study to assess the performance of a compressed image reconstruction algorithm, Basis Pursuit, using different illuminations. In addition to the increased speed due to the reduced number of measurements, we characterized other potential benefits with respect to robustness to noise and resilience to fiber bending when using compressed imaging with optimized illuminations.
An improved programmable grating array based wavefront sensor (GAWS) is proposed which is capable of estimating the incident wavefront more accurately, by generating an array of uniform intensity +1 order spots with negligible contribution from unwanted higher order spots. The duty cycle of each grating element of the proposed sensor is effectively varied in order to independently control the intensity of each +1 order spot. Furthermore, random binarisation technique is implemented on the diffraction grating array to reduce the contribution from undesirable higher order spots by disintegrating them into noise. Proof-of-principle simulation results are presented to demonstrate the working of the proposed GAWS in comparison to the conventional GAWS, for non-uniform intensity of the +1 order spots.
Direct wavefront sensing is commonly performed by using a popular Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor. On the other hand, indirect wavefront sensing is performed based on an image quality metric by acquiring a sequence of images in which pre-determined amount of aberrations modes are incorporated. Both the sensing approaches have their advantages and disadvantages depending on specific applications. In the present work, we propose simultaneous realization of both the sensing approaches with broader applications by using a multiplexed programmable binary diffraction grating pattern. We present proof-of-concept simulation results that demonstrate the working of the proposed multiplexed grating array based wavefront sensor (MGAWS) and its flexibility in easy switching between both the sensing approaches to estimate the wavefront accurately.
Reduced wavefront estimation time in a Shack-Hartmann type wavefront sensor plays an important role in any high speed application of the sensor. Exploiting computer generated holography technique, one can generate an array of binary diffraction grating pattern to produce an array of focal spots, similar to that in a Shack Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWS). The transmittance functions of each of such a grating pattern can be configured to produce a one dimensional (1D) array of focal spots of a desired order. In this paper, we show that the formation of 1D array, further facilitates in the process of single indexed wavefront estimation in its true sense that considerably reduces the wavefront estimation time.
Wavefront estimation from measured slope value is an integral part in Shack Hartmann type zonal wavefront sensors that are widely used to analyze the optical aberrations in numerous application areas. Using a specific estimation algorithm, these measured slopes are converted into wavefront phase values. Hence, accuracy in wavefront estimation lies in proper interpretation of these measured slope values using an appropriate estimation algorithm. One of the important sources of error in a basic wavefront estimation process is the algorithm discretization error that primarily depends on the estimation scheme adopted. Basically, this type of error is a result of the finite sampling of the slope geometry. Algorithm discretization error plays an important role and is needed to be considered while choosing a particular estimation geometry as it determines how well the estimation process reconstructs a phase profile. In this paper, we investigate the algorithm discretization error in a recently proposed improved zonal phase-gradient algorithm18 which is a modified form of the popular Southwell geometry. The error is calculated theoretically to ascertain the causes of error and also find ways to reduce it. Both the estimation algorithms are modeled using Taylor series expansion to show the order of discretization error and eventually make a comparison of the improved geometry with the standard Southwell geometry.
The Shack Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWS), named after Johannes Franz Hartmann and Roland Shack, is one of the most well-known and popularly used optical wavefront sensor that finds numerous applications in various optical technologies. SHWS samples the incident wavefront by means of a lenslet array to produce an array of regular 2D array of focal spots on the detector plane of a digital camera, in the case of an unaberrated plane wavefront. If the incident wavefront is aberrated or deviates from a plane wavefront, the respective focal spots get shifted from its reference positions corresponding to the regular grid. If the incident wavefront aberration increases or has a very large curvature, the focal spot of one lenslet may enter the detector sub-aperture of the nearby lenslet. Thus, the SHWS has a limited dynamic range that is restricted to aberrations which do not allow the sub-images to be displaced out from their own detector sub-array. It makes the SHWS sensitive to cross-talk when higher order aberrations are present thereby unavoidably a ecting the wavefront estimation process. The array of tiny lenses of the SHWS can be replaced by an array of gratings followed by a focusing lens, generating an array of focal spots which is similar to that as in the case of a SHWS. In this paper, the spatial frequency of such a grating array based zonal wavefront sensor is configured to produce lesser number of rows of focal spots. The reduction in the number of focal spot rows reduces the amount of cross talk in the vertical direction. In this paper we present preliminary experimental results to demonstrate the above stated reduction in crosstalk.
Wavefront sensing and reconstruction finds numerous applications in the field of optical technology. Zonal estimation from the wavefront difference or slope data is an important wavefront reconstruction approach. In this reconstruction method, the wavefront is estimated at specific grid points directly from the wavefront differences by using the least-square method. One of the important sources of error in wavefront estimation process is the detector or CCD centroiding error which may propagate in a basic wavefront estimation process, thereby degrading the performance of the wavefront sensor. Hence, quantification of this error is important as this may be considered as one of the selection parameter of a particular estimation geometry. In the present work, we compute the wavefront difference based (WFDB) error propagation coefficient due to this centroiding error for an improved zonal phase-gradient model which is formally applicable for a Shack-Hartmann (S-H) type sensor and show that the improved model offers a substantial reduction of error propagation. The theoretical error propagation coefficient is shown to have a strong correlation with the experimentally obtained RMS errors for the same model.
High speed wavefront sensing is important in real time profile analysis, analysis of fluid dynamics, ophthalmology and so on. Conventional Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor uses an array of tiny lenses and a digital camera to record the focal spot array. Thus the frame rate of the sensor depends on the camera. In this paper we present a zonal wavefront sensor where the array of lenses is replaced by an array of gratings followed by a focusing lens. The gratings can be configured to generate just one array of focal spots. This reduction in row of the focal spot array leads to increase in the frame rate of the proposed wavefront sensor.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.