The basic principle of wavefront curvature sensor (WFS) is described, and the strongpoints and shortcomings of traditional schemes are analyzed. As a novel WFS, the wavefront curvature sensor comprising a diffraction grating (DGWFS), which consist a defocus grating and lens, and can measure the light intensity distribution at the two defocused spots simultaneity, has the advantage of realization easily, adjustment expediently, low cost, and so on. The DGWFS has a wide application in astronomy, measurement, laser, optical component testing etc. Its principle is analyzed. Two kinds of phase retrieval arithmetics of wavefront curvature sensor are analyzed by comparison. Besides, the latest applications of wavefront curvature sensor are generally presented. Finally a novel method for measurement on solid-state laser thermal lens utilizing DGWFS is presented.

Date Published: 23 November 2009
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 7508, 2009 International Conference on Optical Instruments and Technology: Advanced Sensor Technologies and Applications, 75080Y (23 November 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.837711

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7508:
2009 International Conference on Optical Instruments and Technology: Advanced Sensor Technologies and Applications
YanBiao Liao; Anbo Wang; Tingyun Wang; Yukihiro Ishii, Editor(s)