An off-axis Hartmann sensor for the measurement of absorption-induced wavefront distortion in advanced gravitational wave interferometers

We describe a novel off-axis Hartmann wavefront sensor, developed for the measurement of wavefront distortions induced in the mirrors (test masses) of advanced gravitational wave interferometers by residual absorption of the circulating laser power.     

Genetic optimization of modulation characteristics for two twisted nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulators

A single twisted nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulator may suffer from coupled amplitude modulation and a phase modulation capability of less than 2, although almost all panels can achieve . Two twisted nematic liquid crystal panels can be combined in an optical system to produce a total phase modulation of at least 2, and a minimal coupled amplitude modulation. A genetic algorithm is used to optimize the combined modulation characteristics of two liquid crystal panels in a multiplicative architecture. Simulation results and experimental verification are presented which show a substantial reduction in the combined amplitude modulation, and a total phase modulation of 2.