Open AccessOptical characterization and adaptive optics correction of polymer adaptive lens aberrations
Author(s) -
Martino Quintavalla,
Freddie Santiago,
Stefano Bonora,
Sergio R. Restaino
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
applied optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.668
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 2155-3165
pISSN - 1559-128X
DOI - 10.1364/ao.58.000158
Subject(s) - adaptive optics , optics , wavefront , lens (geology) , optical power , deformable mirror , optical aberration , physics , computer science , materials science , laser
Adaptive lenses based on fluid-filled polymer membranes allow for great simplification of optical systems providing large focal length variation and reduction of size, weight, and power consumption. However, aberrations can reduce their optical quality and, for some demanding applications, their correction by means of adaptive optics implies increased complexity, especially if reflective wavefront correctors are used. In this work, we characterize two adaptive lenses in terms of optical power and aberrations. We then correct the gravity-induced aberrations by means of a multiactuator adaptive lens in a closed-loop adaptive optics configuration, with a minimal increase in optical setup complexity. The improvements in the performance of an imaging system are shown.