Wavefront sensors measure the tri-dimensional shape of an optical wavefront and provide an essential understanding of the behavior of light as it interacts with optical surfaces. This measurement is critical for assessing an optical system’s quality and aligning optical assemblies.

Wavefronts can be planar, spherical (curved), or aberrated (ex: astigmatic). Wavefront sensors and phase imaging cameras detect aberrations in wavefronts that happen when light passes through a lens assembly or other media in an optical instrument or component.

Using wavefront sensors, researchers and manufacturers can evaluate quantitatively the quality of their optical instrument, its flatness or shape (for a mirror ), its resolution power (PSF or MTF), or its beam quality (Msquare). These instruments detect anomalies in telescope mirrors, camera lenses, or just about any other optical instrument an engineer, researcher, or scientist may use for spectroscopy, astronomy, medical imaging, and more.

We offer High-Resolution Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors for optical metrology mostly operating in the 350-1700 nm band. Visit our applications page for more information.