title: Maximum likelihood phase-retrieval algorithm: applications.
abstract: The maximum likelihood estimator approach is shown to be effective in determining the wave front aberration in systems involving laser and flow field diagnostics and optical testing. The robustness of the algorithm enables convergence even in cases of severe wave front error and real, nonsymmetrical, obscured amplitude distributions.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Air Force Weapons Laboratory, ARBA, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico 87117, USA.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Nahrstedt
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Southwell