Real-time wavefront sensor system

A method for the real-time measurement of an incoming optical wavefront, comprising the steps of:

• a) linearly polarizing an incoming optical wavefront;
• b) producing a first set of polarization eigenwaves from said linearly polarized incoming optical wavefront, said eigenwaves being produced from an electro-optically driven birefringent element having a first applied voltage, the output of said birefringent element being elliptically polarized;
• c) linearly polarizing said elliptically polarized output of said birefringent element;
• d) forming a first real image from said linearly polarized output of said birefringent element;
• e) providing a first electronic representation of said first real image;
• f) changing said first applied voltage to a second applied voltage thereby producing a second set of eigenwaves and a commensurate elliptical polarization;
• g) linearly polarizing said commensurate elliptically polarized output of said birefringent element;
• h) forming a second real image from said linearly polarized output of said birefringent element;
• i) providing a second electronic representation of said second real image;
• and,
• j) repeating steps f-i, above, to provide a third electronic representation of a third real image, which may be used, in cooperation with said first and second electronic representations, for real-time reconstruction of the incoming wavefront.

A real-time wavefront sensor system, for measuring an incoming optical wavefront, comprising:

• a) a first polarizing element for receiving an incoming optical wavefront and providing a linearly polarized output therefrom;
• b) an electro-optically driven birefringent element for receiving said linearly polarized output and producing two polarization eigenwaves, said birefringent element comprising a birefringence adjustable electro-optically active optical medium having electrodes attached thereto, an output of said birefringent element being elliptically polarized;
• c) an electronic driver element connectable to said birefringent element for providing a desired voltage thereon;
• d) a second polarizing element having a polarization axis perpendicular to a polarization axis of said first polarizing element, said second polarizing element for receiving said output from said birefringent element and providing a linearly polarized output;
• e) an optical assembly for receiving said output of said second polarizing element and forming a real image therefrom;
• and
• f) an optical-to-electronic imaging sensor assembly for receiving said real image and providing an electronic representation thereof, which may be used for real-time reconstruction of the incoming wavefront.