Dispersed Hartmann sensor and method for mirror segment alignment and phasing
AssigneeAdaptive Optics Associates, Inc.
InventorAllan Wirth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dispersed Hartmann sensor includes a Hartmann lenslet in combination with a dispersive element, whereby a Hartmann spot formed by light passing through the Hartman lenslet is dispersed parallel to the phase step of the light. The shape of the blur spot can then be examined at many wavelengths. Measuring the size of a discontinuity in the wavefront of light is then performed by forming a single image of the wavefront, dispersing the image in wavelength using a combination of a Hartman lenslet and a dispersive element, and analyzing the dispersed image along a dispersion direction of the dispersed image to measure the size of the discontinuity.
Claims10
A dispersed Hartmann sensor, comprising:
- a Hartmann lenslet in combination with a dispersive element, whereby a Hartman spot formed by light passing through said Hartmann lenslet is dispersed at an angle to a phase step of said light.
A mirror array, comprising:
- a first layer having a plurality of mirror segments, each mirror segment consisting of a center portion and a surrounding non-center portion;
- a second layer having a plurality of Hartmann subapertures and a plurality of dispersed Hartmann subapertures;
- said Hartmann subapertures being arranged over said center portions of said plurality of mirror segments;
- and
- said dispersed Hartmann subapertures being arranged over those edges where said plurality of mirror segments join one another.
A method for measuring the size of a discontinuity in a wavefront of light, comprising the steps of:
- forming a single image of said wavefront;
- dispersing said image in wavelength using a combination of a Hartman lenslet and a dispersive element;
- and
- analyzing said dispersed image along a dispersion direction of said dispersed image to measure the size of said discontinuity.
A system for measuring the size of a discontinuity in a wavefront of light, comprising:
- means for forming a single image of said wavefront;
- means for dispersing said image in wavelength using a combination of a Hartman lenslet and a dispersive element;
- and
- means for analyzing said dispersed image along a dispersion direction of said dispersed image to measure the size of said discontinuity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.