Adaptive Optics Associates, Inc.

United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

I-tek, Inc.

Adaptive Optics Assoc., Inc.

Julius M Feinleib

Lawrence E Schmutz

Allan Wirth

Andrew J Jankevics

Ralph E Aldrich

John J Hizny

Thomas Gonsiorowski

Steven J Tubbs

Michael Shao

Anthony Vidmar

Kelsey S Nikerson

Peter F Cone

Douglas H Rapkine

John K Bowker

Robert F Dillon

A scalable, low light, high speed wavefront sensor system is disclosed for real time sensing of optical wavefronts using: a gateable image intensifier tube (GIIT), a monolithic lenslet array (MLM), a custom high speed switched silicon detector array, high speed analog/digital processing components, which are microprogrammed with signal processing algorithms. The incoming wavefront is reimaged by foreoptics, then divided into multiple subapertures by the use of the MLM. The MLM forms N.times.M target images which are intensified and transferred to a detector array in which the centroid of each target image on the pixels of the detector array define the local tilt aberration of the wavefront in each subaperture. This local tilt in each subaperture is calculated with microcoded implemented algorithms using real time processing electronics. By combining the local tilt in each subaperture with wavefront reconstruction techniques, the conjugate phase map of the original wavefront can be produced for adaptive optic applications. In order to sense a desired wavefront, the 'time of arrival' and flux of the incoming beam can be controlled by the processor via the time and duration of the signal to the GIIT.

High speed/low light wavefront sensor system

A wavefront sensing and compensating system for detecting and correcting for distortion in light wavefronts is described in which the wavefront is divided into a plurality of subapertures and light intensified and imaged as spots of light from each subaperture onto a detector array. The individual detector elements of the array form a plurality of electrical signals proportional to the local divergence of the vector gradient field (.gradient..sup.2 .phi.). This .gradient..sup.2 .phi. signal after interfacing or reconstruction is applied to corrective mirrors which may be of the deformable or membrane type.

Integrated adaptive optical wavefront sensing and compensating system

A wavefront sensor for detecting distortion in light wavefronts is described in which the wavefront is divided into a plurality of subapertures and light amplified or intensified and imaged as spots of light from each subaperture onto a filter mask. The filter mask encodes a predetermined function of the spot intensity distributor onto the light intensity of the spot transmitted through the filter. For spot centroid calculation, the function is linearly variable. Mask embodiments include linearly varying alternate opaque and transparent chevrons, electronically variable chevrons, and quadratically varying chevrons.

Optical wavefront sensing system

An improved light waveform image sensing system is described. The image wavefront is focused on an image divider and divided into 'n'-segments ('n'&gt;1) whereupon the 'n'-segements are focused on 'n'-detector arrays and detected by 'S'-detectors ('S'&gt;&gt;1) in the 'n'-detector arrays. The 'S'-detectors may comprise any of the well-known photosensitive elements. A particular useful detector is an electron-beam mode device described in detail herein. The detected signals are combined to produce an electrical signal proportional to the tilt in the wavefront which signal may be used to deform a deformable mirror thereby correcting the image.

An improved apparatus for sensing wavefront distortions in a return beam of light, such as a beam returned through a turbulent atmosphere or through an imperfect optical system from a radiating or illuminated object is disclosed. This apparatus includes the components typically present in a Hartmann-type wavefront sensor, and additionally includes means to provide a modulated reference beam of light which is combined with the return beam. The use of a modulated reference beam eliminates the necessity for precise optical alignment, which is difficult or impossible to maintain in most operating environments.

Sensor system for detecting wavefront distortion in a return beam of

Apparatus for maintaining image definition and intensity in optical image processing operations. The apparatus comprises an improved photosensitive device responsive to an applied radiation image pattern for establishing internal electric fields each of which are representative of the intensity of different portions of the applied pattern. Associated with the photosensitive device are a plurality of transparent, conductive targets or conductors aligned to receive the different portions of the applied radiation pattern and to establish discrete internal fields in the device which are uniform over the area of each target notwithstanding any non-uniformities that might exist in the intensity distribution of any of the portions of the applied pattern. The apparatus is especially suitable for use in conjunction with parallel optical digital processing systems in which digital data is represented by an array of radiation image bits of differing intensity and is directed through an optical circuit to be processed in a desired manner.

Apparatus for maintaining image digitization in parallel optical digital

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Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Julius M Feinleib