Reconstruction-free sensitive wavefront sensor based on continuous position sensitive detectors

Thomas Godin (1) , Michael Fromager (2) , Emmanuel Cagniot (2) , Marc Brunel (3) , Kamel Aït-Ameur (2)

1 FEMTO-ST - Franche-Comté Électronique Mécanique, Thermique et Optique - Sciences et Technologies (UMR 6174)
2 CIMAP - UMR 6252 - Centre de recherche sur les Ions, les MAtériaux et la Photonique
3 CORIA - Complexe de recherche interprofessionnel en aérothermochimie

We propose a new device that is able to perform highly sensitive wavefront measurements based on the use of continuous position sensitive detectors and without resorting to any reconstruction process. We demonstrate experimentally its ability to measure small wavefront distortions through the characterization of pump-induced refractive index changes in laser material. In addition, it is shown using computer-generated holograms that this device can detect phase discontinuities as well as improve the quality of sharp phase variations measurements. Results are compared to reference Shack-Hartmann measurements, and dramatic enhancements are obtained.

Domaines: Optique / photonique; Optique [physics.optics]

Thomas Godin, Michael Fromager, Emmanuel Cagniot, Marc Brunel, Kamel Aït-Ameur. Reconstruction-free sensitive wavefront sensor based on continuous position sensitive detectors. Applied optics, 2013, 52 (34), pp.8310 - 8317. ⟨10.1364/AO.52.008310⟩. ⟨hal-00932166⟩