Abstract

The idea that a distorted signal may be corrected after detection by an independent distortion estimate has long been known.^1,2 Currently, several researchers are investigating the application of this concept to obtaining high resolution images of astronomical objects through the atmosphere.^3-5 In this case, both a (short-exposure) distorted image and a distortion estimate are formed simultaneously from the object's light. Thus pairs of independent image-distortion data are used to form the final image through deconvolution and averaging. We call our configuration of this setup Wavefront Sensor Speckle Holography (WSSH).⁵ This paper explores the addition of an artificial reference in the form of a laser guidestar to such a distortion-estimating imaging system⁶. This will improve distortion estimation and imaging system performance. See figure 1.

© 1992 Optical Society of America