Abstract

Conventional adaptive optics have been developed over many years for the purpose of imaging and for directing laser beams through atmospheric turbulence. In this application light from a known point source is collected and a mirror or phase shifting array is modified until the collected light can be focused to form a point image. When this goal is achieved then a collimated laser beam can be directed back through the optical system and will retrace the path of the incident light back to the source. The limitations of conventional adaptive optics are determined by the time taken to measure the wave-front and move actuators, the number of actuators available and hence the degree of compensation which can be achieved, and the degree of computation required to get effective compensation.

© 1995 Optical Society of America