Wavefront sensor optimization in astronomical applications

Microlens arrays made by engraving photoresist coatings are suitable for astronomical applications, especially in the Shack-Hartmann type of wavefront sensor. Their characteristics have to be carefully chosen to fit the turbulence strength. Our instrument, composed of a photon-counting device and a Shack-Hartmann sensor, allows synchronous recordings of short-exposure images and their corresponding wavefronts. In post-processing, the point spread functions (PSF) are calculated and used to deconvolve the direct images. A new real- time centroiding device transforms this experiment into a quasi real-time imaging corrective system.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.