Adaptive Optics with Advanced Phase-contrast Techniques: Part I. High-resolution Wavefront Sensing

High-resolution phase-contrast wave-front sensors based on phase spatial light modulators and micromirror/liquid-crystal arrays are introduced. Wave-front sensor performance is analyzed for atmospheric-turbulence-induced phase distortions described by the Kolmogorov and the Andrews models. A high-resolution phase-contrast wave-front sensor (nonlinear Zernike filter) based on an optically controlled liquid-crystal phase spatial light modulator is experimentally demonstrated. The results demonstrate high-resolution visualization of dynamically changing phase distortions within the sensor time response of ∼10 ms