Investigation of wavefront estimators using the Wavefront Control Experiment at Yerkes Observatory

The Wavefront Control Experiment (WCE) is a zonal adaptive optics system that has been used to test many different matrix wavefront reconstructors. This has influenced the choice of reconstructors for experiments conducted using the Wavefront Control Experiment at Yerkes Observatory, at the Starfire Optical Range 1.5 m telescope, and the Chicago Adaptive Optics System (ChAOS) at the Apache Point 3.5 m telescope. The matrices are generated from a Macintosh software package, called A+, with a graphics user interface. The mathematical basis of many of the reconstructors is outlined, along with our experience using them, and thoughts about future reconstructor concepts.