Diffraction technique for testing the resolution and sensitivity of Hartmann and Shack-Hartmann sensors

A diffraction technique for testing the resolution and sensitivity of Hartmann and Shack-Hartmann sensors is proposed, substantiated theoretically, and studied experimentally. It is based on the generation and measuring of the wavefronts of monochromatic plane waves with a weak, one-dimensional, damped chirp modulation and without this modulation. The modulated and nonmodulated wavefronts are produced by the insertion of a half-plane straight-edge screen into the field of a plane wave and by withdrawal of the screen out of the field. Also, the respective intensity distributions of these waves are measured. Testing the resolution and sensitivity of the sensors is performed by analyzing the difference patterns of the phase and intensity distributions recorded with the induced wavefield modulation and without it.