Adaptive optics system with a single sensor
An innovative adaptive optics system using only one sensor
- Adaptive optics
- Monosensor
- Astronomy
- Ophtalmology
- Microscopy
- Defense
Market challenges
Resolution in an optical system can be affected by various parameters: on the one hand, all the optical defects and aberrations generated by the system itself, and, on the other hand, all those coming from the medium of light propagation.A classic adaptive optics system has 5 main elements: an adaptive mirror, a command, a beamsplitter, a main imager, a wafront sensor with its camera.The main limitations associated with this configuration are as follows:
• Two specific sensors are necessary, which implies a significant bulk
• Having two sensors and two optical paths also involves differential mechanical stresses that can induce optical aberrations
• The beamsplitter, which is essential for taking the light output that is necessary for the wavefront analysis assembly, reduces the flux for the main sensor. This is an important limitation for the detectivity of the system.
Innovative solution
The solution is an innovative adaptive optics system using only one sensor.In addition to being the main sensor for high resolution and/or sensitivity, it will also be the sensor for the analysis of the wavefront in order to control the deformable mirror in real time.
Development status
A prototype has been developed and tested at ENS Paris (Physics Laboratory), and at the Pic du Midi Observatory (France) during several technical missions.
Suggested applications
- All imaging applications which are limited by disturbances in the light propagation medium, but also for all those whose image acquisition is confronted and limited by mechanical disturbances (vibrations, contraction/expansion, etc.).
- Astronomy (exoplanetology for instance),
- The military (night vision)
- Biomedical (ophthalmology, microscopy)
Competitive advantages
- This new tool with a single sensor will make it possible to remove the beam splitter, thus giving access to more signal on the sensor, and will considerably simplify the whole system : both from a mechanical and optical point of view, by creating a more compact instrument easier to embed in constrained volume environments (microscopy, dilated fundus examination…).
- Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to overcome the defects and aberrations that are inherent in conventional double sensor systems and their differentiated double optical path.
IP rights
- A patent application has been filed in September 2018 (PCT in 2019)
ENGINEERING | Number ref.: #MA00482
Adaptive optics, Monosensor, Astronomy, Ophtalmology, Microscopy, Defense
