Abstract: A wavefront sensor for use in a staring imaging system for generating focused and defocused images of an object scene that is being imaged by the imaging system from a single input optical beam impinged thereon. The wavefront sensor includes a beamsplitter for splitting an optical input beam into identical first and second half beam portions and for focusing the first and second half beam portions onto respective first and second focal planes. A phase plate is interposed between the beamsplitter and the second focal plane for inducing a known focus error in the second half beam portion. A photodetector is also provided and is effective to form a best focused image and a slightly out of focus image at the first and second focal planes, respectively. The focused and defocused images are combinable using phase diversity techniques to estimate wavefront aberrations present in the imaging system.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor for use in a scanning imaging system for generating focused and defocused images of an object scene that is being imaged by the imaging system from a single input optical beam impinged thereon. The two images are combinable using phase diversity techniques for calculating the wavefront aberrations that are present in the imaging system. The wavefront sensor includes a first linear photodetector array for forming a best focused image of an object scene as an incoming optical beam scans across the first linear photodetector array. The wavefront sensor further includes a second photodetector array disposed parallel to the first photodetector array. The second photodetector array is provided with a compensator plate for inducing a known focus error in the image that is formed on the second photodetector array as the input optical scans across the second photodetector array. In one embodiment, the two photodetector arrays are configured as CCD arrays on a single substrate.