High precision wavefront correction using an influence function optimization method based on a hybrid adaptive optics system

A hybrid adaptive optics (AO) system with an influence function (IF) optimization method is presented for high precision wavefront correction of a traditional Shack-Hartmann AO system. The hybrid AO system consists of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWFS) and a deflectometry system (DS) to measure the wavefront of the laser beam and the IF of the deformable mirror, respectively. An IF optimization method is used to generate a hybrid IF (H-IF) through a position-calibration algorithm and a resolution-conversion algorithm by use of the original IFs measured by the SHWFS (S-IF) and the DS (D-IF). Configuration of the hybrid AO system is introduced. Principles and calculation results of the IF optimization method are presented. Comparison of the wavefront correction ability between the H-IF and the original IF is carried out in simulation. Closed-loop performance of the hybrid AO system using the H-IF is investigated in experiment. Simulation and experiment results show that for a traditional Shack-Hartmann AO system, the H-IF has better correction ability than the original S-IF and the IF optimization method could help improve closed-loop performance without sacrificing the simplicity of the system structure and the rapidity of the closed-loop correction.