Segmented aperture system wavefront error sensing and correction experiments at BATC

BATC has developed a laboratory testbed specifically designed to evaluate the relative merits of wavefront sensing and correction algorithms for active optical systems. The testbed includes a point source, a segmented aperture input with four independently alignable rigid segments, and a sensor assembly that simultaneously provides numerous wavefront and image sensing capabilities. This Wavefront Control Testbed has been used to conduct a series of experiments designed to compare and quantify various techniques for measuring and removing the wavefront errors in a segmented aperture optical system. The results of these experiments are used to support the top-level definition of the wavefront control system that can be used for ensuring the optical performance of large space-based observatories such as the Next Generation Space Telescope. A short description of the experimental parameters and results is presented, along with the expected future use of the testbed.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.