Finite-Element Simulation of Zernike Polynomials Fidelity in Bimorph Deformable Mirror with Various Actuator Patterns

Abstract The paper presents investigation of the Zernike polynomials fidelity in shape of the orthonormal base functions. As a wavefront corrector a bimorph wavefront corrector was used. To find the optimal number of control elements finite-element analysis was performed for electrode layout in keystone arrangement: 19-, 37-, 61-, 91-, 127-element. The behavior of reconstruction accuracy was investigated for first 15 Zernike polynomials in Wyant notation except for tilts. The optimal configuration of electrodes scheme was shown for 61-element deformable mirror in comparison with others. The root-mean-square error of 19-, 37-electrode layouts exceed the accuracy criterion, for high spatial resolution (91, 121 electrodes) the benefit of Zernike reproducibility is negligible (<3%).