Abstract

A wavefront sensor receives the field from an object after it has acquired a phase aberration due to atmospheric turbulence. The Fourier modulus wavefront sensor operates by using a lens or mirror to Fourier transform the field in the sensor aperture to a measurement plane where the modulus squared (intensity) of the Fourier transform is detected. Motivation to study this sensor is given by the success of several iterative Fourier transform algorithms in making phase estimates from measured data of this type [1,2]. It is also known that, in most cases of practical interest, the atmospheric phase is uniquely related to Fourier (focal) plane intensity measurements [3].

© 1986 Optical Society of America