Curvature sensing for Adaptive Optics: A computer simulation

This thesis describes computer simulations of a new wavefront sensing technique for Adaptive Optics based on local wavefront curvature measurements, along with edge slope measurements. The output signal from the curvature measurements, along with edge slope measurements. The output signal from the curvature sensor can be directly applied to the electrodes of a bimorph or membrane mirror. The mirror is used as an analog device to solve the Poisson Equation, providing a fast real time compensation for atmospheric disturbances. The open loop characteristics of the system are presented. The ideal response is analyzed, and side effects such as non-linearity, photon and diffraction noises are discussed. Closed loop simulations are presented thereafter. A seven actuator system showed a few unstable modes. A 13 actuator system with proper filtering corrects the atmospheric perturbations. To simulate atmospheric distorted wavefronts, an algorithm based on spectral decomposition of the Zernike covariance matrix was derived. This sensor can also be used to test large telescope mirrors using a modified program that solves the Poisson Equation with Neumann boundary conditions