Iterative wavefront reconstruction for strong turbulence using Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor measurements

Abstract

An iterative wavefront reconstruction method using Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWFS) measurements is presented in this paper. A new cost function for the wavefront reconstruction problem is derived and the solution is obtained iteratively using the gradient descent method. The proposed method aims to effectively handle the scintillated SHWFS measurements and to provide simpler and accurate ways to achieve branch-point-tolerant wavefront reconstruction suitable for adaptive optics compensation of strong turbulence. Simulated iterative wavefront reconstruction results show the effectiveness of the proposed method. A laboratory optical testbed is also presented to show the experimental implementation of the proposed method.