Limited degree-of-freedom adaptive optics and image reconstruction.

The use of limited degree-of-freedom adaptive optics in conjunction with statistical averaging and a linear image reconstruction algorithm is addressed. Image reconstruction is traded for full predetection compensation. It is shown through analytic calculations that the average optical transfer function (OTF) is significant for high spatial frequencies in the case of imaging through atmospheric turbulence with an adaptive optics system composed of a Hartmann-type wave-front sensor and a deformable mirror possessing far fewer actuators than one per atmospheric coherence diameter (r(0)). Statistical averaging is used to overcome the effects of measurement noise and randomness in individual realizations of the OTF. The imaging concept and signal-to-noise considerations are presented.

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