Article
Article
Adaptive optics
Article By:
Hardy, John W. Formerly, Litton Optical Systems, Lexington, Massachusetts.
Last reviewed:August 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.010000
The science of optical systems in which a controllable optical element, usually a deformable mirror, is used to optimize the performance of the system, for example, to maintain a sharply focused image in the presence of wavefront aberrations. A distinction is made between active optics, in which optical components are modified or adjusted by external control to compensate slowly changing disturbances, and adaptive optics, which applies to closed-loop feedback systems employing sensors and data processors, operating at much higher frequencies. See also: Control systems
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