As the core device for measuring the phase distortion of light waves, wavefront sensors play a key role in scientific research, medical treatment, industry and other fields with their high-precision detection capabilities, and promote a number of technological innovations.
In astronomical observations, it is the "eye" of the adaptive optical system. By capturing the wavefront distortion of starlight passing through the atmosphere in real time, quickly generating correction signals, and driving the telescope mirror adjustment, the imaging resolution can be increased by 3-5 times, helping astronomers to clearly observe the details of distant galaxies. It has now become a standard component of large astronomical telescopes.
It is widely used in the field of ophthalmology. In laser myopia surgery, wavefront sensors can accurately measure corneal wavefront aberrations, provide data support for personalized cutting solutions, and make postoperative visual quality better than traditional surgery. In addition, it can also assist in the diagnosis of eye diseases such as glaucoma, and detect optic neuropathy in advance by analyzing the propagation characteristics of fundus light waves.
Industrial detection helps precision manufacturing. In semiconductor lithography technology, it is used to monitor the wavefront quality of laser beams to ensure that the accuracy of lithography patterns reaches the nanometer level and guarantee the yield of chip production. In the field of laser processing, real-time detection of laser wavefront distortion and feedback adjustment can improve the uniformity of material cutting and welding, and is especially suitable for precision processing of aerospace parts.
In addition, wavefront sensors have also emerged in the fields of quantum communication and biological imaging. In quantum key distribution, it can stabilize the phase of the light beam and ensure the security of communication; when equipped with a biological microscope, it can eliminate the light wave scattering caused by biological tissue and clearly present the internal structure of the cell.
With the iteration of technology, the detection speed and accuracy of wavefront sensors continue to improve. In the future, in more high-precision demand scenarios, its application potential will be further released, providing strong support for the technology upgrade of various industries.
