Performance analysis of Fourier and Vector Matrix Multiply methods for phase reconstruction from slope measurements

The accuracy of wavefront reconstruction from discrete slope measurements depends on the sampling geometry, coherence length of the incoming wavefronts, wavefront sensor specifications and the accuracy of the reconstruction algorithm. Monte Carlo simulations were performed and a comparison of Fourier and Vector Matrix Multiply reconstruction methods was made with respect to these experimental and computational parameters. It was observed that although Fourier reconstruction gave consistent accuracy when coherence length of wavefronts is larger than the corresponding pitch on the wavefront sensor, VMM method gives even better accuracy when the coherence length closely matches with the wavefront sensor pitch.