RECONSTRUCTION OF DISCONTINUOUS LIGHT-PHASE FUNCTIONS

The reconstruction of discontinuous light-phase functions is of major importance in adaptive optics. An efficient and simple algorithm that can reconstruct large arrays of phases from phase differences is prese nted. We prove that the algorithm yields a perfect result in the absen ce of noise, and we describe the function that it maximizes. We sugges t a method that makes use of the reconstructed phase to measure the po sition of branch points. A simulation of the reconstruction of a 33 x 33 phase array is presented. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.