Abstract

The development of optically addressed spatial light modulators (OASLM) has allowed real-time application of holographic imaging techniques [1,2]. The low write intensities of OASLM's make them ideal candidates for real-time holographic elements. In the all-optical system presented in this paper, the duties of the wavefront sensor, computer, and deformable mirror of a conventional adaptive optical system are all accomplished by the OASLM. A reference wavefront is sent through the atmosphere and aquires a wavefront distortion due to the atmospheric optical turbulence. This atmospheric reference is then interfered with a coherent local reference. The image that is to be corrected is then reflected off the read-side of the OASLM. The first -order diffracted image will have the phase distortion that is present on the aberrated reference removed from it.

© 1992 Optical Society of America