Simple accurate model-based phase diversity phase retrieval algorithm for wavefront sensing in high-resolution optical imaging systems

In optical imaging systems, the aberration is an important factor that impedes realising diffraction-limited imaging. Accurate wavefront sensing and control play important role in modern high-resolution optical imaging systems nowadays. In this study, a simple model-based phase retrieval algorithm is proposed for accurate efficient wavefront sensing with high dynamic range. In the authors' algorithm, a wavefront is represented by the Zernike polynomials, and the Zernike coefficients are solved by the least-squares-based non-linear optimisation method, i.e. the Lederberg-Marquardt algorithm, with multiple phase-diversity images. The numerical results show that the proposed algorithm is capable of retrieving wavefront with a large dynamic range up to seven wavelength and robust to noise. In comparison, the proposed algorithm is more efficient than the existing model-based technique and more accurate than existing Fourier - transformation-based iterative techniques.