Adaptive phase-distortion correction based on parallel gradient-descent optimization

We describe an adaptive wave-front control technique based on a parallel stochastic perturbation method that can be applied to a general class of adaptive-optical system. The efficiency of this approach is analyzed numerically and experimentally by use of a white-light adaptive-imaging system with an extended source. To create and compensate for static phase distortions, we use 127-element liquid-crystal phase modulators. Results demonstrate that adaptive wave-front correction by a parallel-perturbation technique can significantly improve image quality. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.