Zonal wavefront reconstruction of Shack–Hartmann and Hartmann patterns with hexagonal cells

Abstract In this article we will develop a method to integrate Shack–Hartmann and Hartmann pattern with hexagonal cells, using a polynomial representation (modal integration) over each hexagonal cell. Since each hexagonal has six sampling points, one at each vertex, instead of the typical four sampling points in square cells, it is possible to have a different representation of the wavefront in each cell, each with different aberration terms. The local curvatures and low order aberrations in each cell are calculated more accurately than for square cells. All the analytical functions over each hexagonal cell have a different unknown piston term, that is calculated with a method to be described here. As a result, wavefront retrieval and representation of freeform optical surfaces for some optical systems can be made, due to the calculation of aberrations in each hexagonal cell.