title: Generalized phase diversity for wave-front sensing.
abstract: Phase diversity is a phase-retrieval algorithm that uses a pair of intensity images taken symmetrically about the wave front to be determined. If these images are taken about the system input pupil this is equivalent to a curvature-sensing algorithm. Traditionally a defocus aberration kernel is used to produce the phase-diverse data. We present a generalization of this method to allow the use of other functions as the diversity kernel. We discuss the necessary and sufficient conditions that such a function must satisfy for use in a null wave-front sensor. Computer simulations were used to validate these results.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK. H.I.Campbell@hw.ac.uk
authors.forename: Heather I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Sijiong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Alan H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Greenaway
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Restaino