Performance of centroiding algorithms at low light level conditions in adaptive optics

Abstract

The performance metrics of different centroiding algorithms at low light level conditions were optimized in the case of a Shack Hartmann Sensor (SHS) for efficient performance of the adaptive optics system. For short exposures and low photon flux, the Hartmann spot does not have a Gaussian shape due to the photon noise which follows poissonian statistics. The centroiding estimation error was calculated at different photon levels in the case of changing spot size and shift in the spot using Monte Carlo simulations. This analysis also proves to be helpful in optimizing the SHS specifications at low light levels.