Use of an LCPM to Simulate Time Varying Atmospheric Distortion for an Adaptive Optics System: Laboratory Demonstration

Abstract

Fast generation of known stimuli simulating atmospheric turbulence has long been an impossible dream for proving and characterizing adaptive optics systems. Now that liquid crystal phase modulators are available with a moderate number (>100) of elements, they can be readily employed to provide accurate and repeatable disturbances for the testing of adaptive optics. Moreover, their small size and low power dissipation make them ideal as on-board test sources with deterministic time-varying higher order phase screens.