<title>Curvature sensing analysis</title>

Abstract

F. Roddier has proposed a curvature sensing and modal compensation adaptive optics system, currently under development at the University of Hawaii. Several astronomical groups have shown interest in such a system, including the Gemini 8-m Telescope Project, and wonder how it compares with previously demonstrated slope sensing/zonal correction systems. To begin to address this question, we present in this paper an optimal estimator analysis of curvature sensing, based on the method Wallner developed for slope sensing systems.