Optimizing the modal index of Zernike polynomials for regulated phase screen simulation

Abstract

Simulations of optical wavefronts propagating through the atmosphere are widely used in the design and testing of adaptive optics systems. Phase screens are defined by their spatial and temporal statistics. In many applications, a controlled production of phase is necessary. A linear combination of normalized Zernike polynomials can be used for the generation of phase screens through the computation of Zernike moments following Kolmogorov turbulence spectrum. In this paper, a technique for controlled production of normalized phase screens using a known Fried's parameter, r0 is proposed by taking the advantage of the fact that with increasing radial index (n) of Zernike polynomials, the spatial frequency increases. We arrived at an empirical relation between the index interval of Zernike polynomials and r0. At large value of 'n', there is saturation in the minimum achievable r0 value.