Method for subaperture testing interferogram reduction

Abstract

Subaperture testing provides an attractive alternative to large monolithic test optics for evaluation of large optical systems. We present a method for reducing subaperture testing data that requires no a priori knowledge of the relative piston and tilt of the subapertures. Results of applying this method to analyze subaperture testing interferograms are presented. In particular, the behavior of this method in the presence of data noise and for different subaperture configurations is studied.