A phase-knife wave-front sensor

The use of an optical system with a phase knife is proposed to record qualitatively the shape of the optical-radiation wave front. Theoretical and numerical studies of a sensor based on a phase knife are performed, the algorithms for reconstruction of the phase function and schemes for sensor realisation are developed, and the range in which the device can be used expediently is determined. The sensor component parameters required for its realisation are determined, and the sensor efficiency in various operational modes is tested experimentally.