Optical wavefront differentiation: wavefront sensing for solar adaptive optics based on a LCD

摘要

We present the results of our first experimental tests of the concept of an alternative wavefront sensor for extended, incoherent light sources such as the sun. This concept is not associated with subapertures and therefore does not suffer from involved restrictions. In theory, this wavefront sensor also needs very little light from the telescope. The sensor employs a liquid crystal display as used in digital video projectors for masking an image plane in an aberrated telescope. We describe a laboratory setup and an advanced prototype used at the German Vaccum Tower Telescope (VTT), Tenerife.