Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor Selection Guide
High-Resolution, 1.3 Megapixel Wavefront Sensor
Fast 450 Hz Frame Rate Wavefront Sensor

Operation Principles

Click to Enlarge
Schematic of a Mircrolens Array Focusing a Distorted Wavefront

The Shack-Hartmann sensor consists of a lenslet array and a camera. When a wavefront enters the lenslet array, a spotfield is created on the camera; each spot is then analyzed for intensity and location. Using this method, Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors can dynamically measure the wavefronts of laser sources or characterize the wavefront distortion caused by optical components. In addition, they can provide real-time feedback for adaptive optics systems, such as Thorlabs' Adaptive Optics Kits. For more details on the theory of Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensing, see the SH Tutorial tab above.

Features

CCD Camera Provides 1.3 Megapixel Resolution
Real-Time Wavefront and Intensity Distribution Measurements
Includes Interchangeable High-Quality Photolithographic Microlens Array
Nearly Diffraction-Limited Spot Size
Use with CW or Pulsed Light Sources
USB Connection to PC
Live Data Readout via TCP/IP
Compact Housing: 48.5 mm x 32.0 mm x 40.4 mm with Baseplate
Flexible Software Options

GUI Software
Instrument Driver Package for C Compilers
LabWindows™/CVI
LabVIEW™
DotNet

Thorlabs' High-Resolution Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensors, which incorporate CCD cameras with 1.3 meagpixel resolution, provide accurate measurements of the wavefront shape and intensity distribution of beams. These wavefront sensors are available with either a chrome-masked microlens array for use in the 300 - 1100 nm range or an AR-coated microlens array for use in the 400 - 900 nm range. The former has a lenslet pitch of 150 µm whereas the latter is available with a lenslet pitch of either 150 or 300 µm. These three offerings allow the end user to select a system that offers high spatial resolution, enhanced contrast, or high wavefront accuracy. Please note that calibration of the microlens-camera pair is required; to purchase a new lenslet array for a previously purchased Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor, please contact Technical Support for a quotation on the microlens array and calibration service.

If your application would benefit from a fast wavefront sensor, please see our line of Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors with frame rates up to 450 Hz. For more information about choosing the appropriate Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor for a particular application, see the Selection Guide tab above.

Shack-Hartmann Kits with Two Microlens Arrays
Thorlabs also offers wavefront sensor kits (Item # WFS-K1 and WFS-K2) that include two microlens arrays and the base CCD camera unit loaded with the appropriate calibration data for the two lenslet arrays. Switching lenses is easy using the provided pick-up tool; the patented magnetic holder (US Patent No: 8,289,504) precicely postions the array correctly every time. These kits are ideal for situations where more than one light source or optical setup needs to be analyzed.

Accessories
Each Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor and Kit comes in a convenient storage and carrying case. Mounting accessories include an SM1A9 C-Mount to internal SM1 (1.035"-40) thread adapter for mounting Ø1" lens tubes and mounted optics, such as Neutral Density Filters, and a base plate for attaching Ø1/2" posts.

GUI Software
The included software package offers a user-friendly grapical interface with tools for choosing camera setting, calibration, analysis, and display options. All sensors require a USB2.0 port to operate. The software also includes drivers for C compilers, LabVIEW^TM, LabWindows/CVI^TM, and DotNet for integration into custom system control and data collection software. For more information on the included software or to download the latest version, see the Software tab above.

Camera Specifications

Item #	WFS150-5C	WFS150-7AR	WFS300-14AR
Detector Array Type	CCD
Camera Resolution (Max)	1280 x 1024 Pixels, Selectable
Pixel Sixe	4.65 µm x 4.65 µm
Aperture Size (Max)	5.95 mm x 4.76 mm
Frame Rate (Max)	15 Hz
Exposure Range	79 µs - 65 ms
Shutter	Global*
Image Digitization	8 Bit

*A global shutter exposes the entire detector at one time.

Microlens Array Specifications

Item #	WFS150-5C	WFS150-7AR	WFS300-14AR
Wavelength Range	300 nm - 1100 nm	400 nm - 900 nm	400 nm - 900 nm
Effective Focal Length (When Mounted in WFS)	3.7 mm	5.2 mm	14.2 mm
Nominal Focal Length	5.2 mm	6.7 mm	18.6 mm
Reflectivity	<25%	<1%	<1%
Number of Active Lenslets	Selectable by Software, Depending on Microlens Array
Number of Active Lenslets (Max)	39 x 31		19 x 15
Substrate Material	Fused Silica (Quartz)
Free Aperture	Ø9 mm
Lenslet Grid Type	Square Grid
Lenslet Pitch	150 µm		300 µm
Lens Shape^a	Round, Plano-Convex Spherical		Square, Plano-Convex Parabolic
Fill Factor (Approximate)^b	74.5%		100%
Lens Size	Ø146 µm		300 µm x 300 µm
Coating	Chrome Mask	Anti-Reflection
Array Size	10 mm x 10 mm x 1.2 mm

The convex surfaces face the camera.
The Fill Factor is a measure of the fraction of incident light reaching the detector. For the WFS150-5C and WFS150-7AR, the fill factor is less than 100% because the round lenses are arranged on a square grid.

General Specifications

Item #	WFS150-5C	WFS150-7AR	WFS300-14AR
Wavefront Accuracy ^a	λ/15 rms @ 633 nm		λ/50 rms @ 633 nm
Wavefront Sensitivity ^b	λ/50 rms @ 633 nm		λ/150 rms @ 633 nm
Wavefront Dynamic Range ^c	>100λ @ 633 nm		>50λ @ 633 nm
Local Wavefront Curvature ^d	>7.4 mm	>10 mm	>40 mm
Optical Input Connector	C-Mount
Physical Size (H x W x D)	34 mm x 32 mm x 45.5 mm
Power Supply	<1.5 W via USB
External Trigger Input Specifications
Trigger Slope	Software Selectable: Low-High or High-Low
Maximum Low Level	2 V
Minimum High Level	5 V
Input Current (Max)	10 mA

^aAbsolute accuracy using internal reference. Measured for spherical wavefronts with a known radius of curvature.
^bTypical relative accuracy with respect to a reference wavefront (user calibration). Reference and each measurement values are averaged over 10 frames.
^cOver entire aperture of wavefront sensor.
^dRadius of wavefront curvature over single lenslet aperture.

How a Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor Works

Click to Enlarge

A Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor uses a lenslet array to divide an incoming wavefront into an array of smaller beams. Each beam is focused onto a CMOS camera that is placed at the focal plane of the lenslet array, as shown in the figure to the left. If a uniform, planar wavefront is incident on the Shack-Hartmann sensor, each lenslet forms a spot along the optical axis of the lenslet. This yields a regularly spaced grid of spots on the detector.

Click to Enlarge

A distorted wavefront, however, will cause some lenslets to focus with the spots displaced from the optical axis. Therefore, the light imaged on the sensor will consist of some regularly spaced spots mixed with displaced spots and missing spots. This information can be used to calculate the shape of the wavefront that was incident on the microlens array. Shack- Hartmann type wavefront sensors can be used to characterize the performance of optical systems. In addition, they are increasingly used in applications where real-time monitoring of the wavefront is used to control an adaptive optic with the intent of removing the wavefront distortion before creating an image.

Wavefront Distortion and Spot Displacement

As discussed above, each microlens of the lenslet array collects the light falling onto its aperture and generates a single spot at the detector plane. The figure below is a detail of a wavefront incident on a single microlens. The spot positions will be directly behind the lenses (shown in green) only if the incident wavefront is flat and parallel to the plane of the lenslets. For a wavefront which is distorted in the region of the microlens, the spot positions will be deviated in the X and Y direction (as shown by the red dot) so that every spot lies away from the optical axis z of its associated microlens by an angle θ. This angle θ is the same as the angle between the distorted wavefront and the planar wavefront, as shown in the figure.

Single Microlens Focusing

Parameters Affecting Shack-Hartmann Performance

Four parameters that influence the performance of a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor are the number of lenslets that cover the detector active area, the dynamic range, the measurement sensitivity, and the lenslet focal length. The number of lenslets restricts the maximum number of Zernike coefficients that a reconstruction algorithm can reliably calculate. When selecting the number of lenslets required, consider the amount of distortion being modeled (i.e., how many Zernike coefficients are needed to effectively represent the true wave abberation).

Sensitivity (α_min) is a function of the minimum detectable spot displacement (δy_min), as described by the equation:

α_min = δy_min / f

where f is the focal length of the microlens. Dynamic range, θ_max, is a measure of the maximum extent of phase that can be measured:

α_max = δy_max / f = (d / 2) / f

where d is the diameter of the microlens. Both of these equations were derived using the small angle approximation. α_min is the minimum detectable wavefront slope that can be measured by the wavefront sensor. The minimum detectable spot displacement δy_min depends on the pixel size of the detector, the accuracy of the centroid algorithm, and the signal to noise ratio of the sensor. α_max is the maximum wavefront slope that can be measured by the wavefront sensor and corresponds to a spot displacement of δy_max, which is equal to the lenslet radius.

A Shack-Hartmann sensor's measurement accuracy (i.e., the minimum wavefront slope that can be measured reliably) depends on its ability to precisely measure the displacement of a focused spot with respect to a reference position. A conventional algorithm will fail to determine the correct centroid of a spot if it partially overlaps another spot or if the focal spot of a lenslet falls outside of the area of the sensor assigned to detect it (spot crossover). Special algorithms can be implemented to overcome these problems, but the limit the dynamic range of the sensor. The dynamic range of a system can be increased by using a lenslet with either a larger diameter or a shorter focal length. Increasing the dynamic range by increasing the lenslet diameter decreases the number of Zernike coefficients available to represent the wavefront. Conversely, increasing the dynamic range by shortening the focal length decreases the sensor's sensitivity. Ideally, a lenslet with the longest focal length that meets both the dynamic range and measurement sensitivity requirements should be used.

The Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor is capable of providing information about the intensity profile as well as the calculated wavefront.

Selecting the Proper Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor

Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensors
High Resolution 1.3 Megapixel Wavefront Sensor
Fast 450 Hz Frame Rate Wavefront Sensor

Thorlabs offers two different cameras for a variety of wavefront sensing applications. The wavefront sensors on this page feature a CCD camera with a resolution of 1.3 Megapixels. Thorlabs also offers a line of Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors with a CMOS camera capable of measuring frame rates up to 450 Hz. Each camera type is available with one of three microlens arrays offering flexibility in wavelength range, spatial resolution, spot contrast, and wavefront accuracy.

Choosing a Camera

The high resolution of the 1.3 Megapixel CCD camera can make wavefront measurements of the spot field with high accuracy and sensitivity. This makes the wavefront sensors built with these cameras ideal for accurate analysis of wavefront distortions of light sources and optical components.

The high frame rate of the CMOS detector enables more wavefront measurements per second and thus can detect faster wavefront fluctuations. This is ideal as a sensor for a high-speed adaptive optics system.

Frame Rate Comparison

Line*	Item #
	WFS10-5C and WFS10-7AR
	WFS10-14AR
	WFS150-5C and WFS150-7AR
	WFS300-14AR

*Click on the line to see an individual curve.

Click to Enlarge

Camera Responsivity Comparison

Choosing a Microlens Array

Features of WFS Microlens Arrays
Item #	High Spot Contrast	High Wavefront Accuracy	High Spatial Resolution	Low Back Reflection
WFS150-5C WFS10-5C
WFS150-7AR WFS10-7AR
WFS300-14AR WFS10-14AR

Each Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor is available with 3 different microlens arrays. The table to the right details the features of the microlens included with each item.

WFS150-5C and WFS10-5C Microlens Features
These sensors include a chrome-masked microlens array, which prevents light from passing between the microlenses. This leads to a higher contrast in the spot field but will considerably increase the amount of back reflections. This microlens can be used over an extended wavelength range of 300 nm to 1100 nm. This microlens array features a 150 µm lens pitch, which offers a larger number of spots and thus a higher spatial resolution of the wavefront, and a wider wavefront dynamic range because of their shorter focal length.

WFS150-7AR, WFS10-7AR, WFS300-14AR and WFS10-14AR Microlens Features
These sensors include a microlens array that is AR coated for the 400 nm to 900 nm wavelength range, making them ideal for applications that are sensitive to back reflections. The WFS150-7AR and WFS10-7AR includes a microlens array with a 150 µm lens pitch, which offers a larger number of spots and thus a higher spatial resolution of the wavefront, and a wider wavefront dynamic range because of their shorter focal length. The WFS300-14AR and WFS10-14AR includes a microlens array with a 300 µm lens pitch, which offers higher wavefront accuracy and sensitivity at the expense of dynamic range and spatial resolution.

Software and Graphical User Interface

GUI Display of Measured Wavefront

Display/Output Options
For screen images of the GUI display options, please click on the links:

Raw Spotfield Image
Zernike Coefficients
Measured and Reconstructed 3D Wavefront
Irradiance Distribution
Lineview Intensity of Pixel Column
Tabulated Output
Flexible Export Option: Text or Excel File
Live Data Readout via TCP/IP to a DataSocket Server

Calculated Parameters

Beam Centroid and Diameter
Modal and Zonal Reconstructed Wavefront
Max Variance of Wavefront, Peak-to-Valley (PV), and RMS of Wavefront
Zernike Representations of Tilt, Defocus, Astigmatism,
Coma, Spherical, and Higher Order Aberrations
Fourier and Optometric Parameters

Included Drivers

The software includes a driver package for constructing custom applications with the following software packages:

C Compilers
LabWindows^TM/CVI
LabVIEW^TM
DotNet

Software Download

Click here for the latest version of the Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor Software Package. The software requires Windows^TM XP, Vista, 7, or later (32 or 64 bit). A USB 2.0 port is also required.

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Posted Comments:

Poster: allandeof

Posted Date: 2013-05-20 13:57:55.473

Good Evening I d like more information about possible aplications of these product. Looks like a cam with microlens. The array of microlens is responsible for its large band of sensibility (300 to 1000 nm)? Im looking for a CCD cam whith sensibility between 300 and 1000 nm, external trigger control and a minimum of 15 FPS. Can be these product what Im lokking for? Any information will be helpful. Allan Fontes

Poster: tschalk

Posted Date: 2013-05-22 10:01:00.0

This is a response from Thomas at Thorlabs. The WFS has a big field of applications. It is used to test the quality of optical components or to characterize the optical properties of a laser beam. A WFS can also be used to measure the aberrations of the human eye. Thorlabs WFS consists of a camera with a mounted microlens array in front of the camera sensor. The WFS represents a modified DCU camera. The typical response of these WFS CCD cameras can be found in the manual page 129: http://www.thorlabs.com/Thorcat/19900/WFS150-5C-Manual.pdf. The WFS150-5C is specified for a wavelength range from 300 to 1100nm, it is equipped with an external trigger control and the frame rate in normal mode is 55Hz. I will contact you directly to discuss your application and to find out if the camera is what you are looking for.

Poster: sharrell

Posted Date: 2013-04-04 15:44:00.0

Response from Sean at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. Our microlens arrays are mounted so that the convex side are oriented towards the camera. This was done so that the input aperture of the Shack-Hartmann sensor could be more easily cleaned (since the surface is flat). When developing the wavefront sensors, both orientations of the lens array were tested and only minor differences in the resulting spot diameters were detected with the lenslet-to-camera distance optimized for each case.

Poster: kaccie

Posted Date: 2013-03-27 15:13:40.42

I've been looking through your documentation on this product, and I can't help but notice something that bothers me in several drawings. In each drawing where some principle of Shack-Hartmann is explained has the lenslet array oriented such that the convex side faces the detector while the plano side faces the incoming disturbance. Is this actually how your sensors are designed or is it just a drawing? I think it's a pretty big deal since the quality of spots would be a lot worse due to spherical aberration if the plano side is facing the incoming wavefront.

Poster: jvigroux

Posted Date: 2013-01-18 11:13:00.0

a response from Julien at Thorlabs: Thank you for your inquiry! the array you refer to as intensity is actually showing the wavefront data. This is why the values are both positive and negative. The raw intensity data can be viewed in the software in the spot field window. This data cannot be exported directly form the software though. One needs to use the SDK provided with the software to access this information. The array of the centroid position is indeed adapted to the chosen resolution. Due to the fact however that the microlens array is not positioned exactly in the middle of the camera, there can be a small offset between the theoretical middle (160,160 for 320x320 resolution) and the actual middle. The offset as well as the possible tilt angles of the microlens array are stored in the camera during our calibration. I will contact you directly to discuss more in details those points and your application.

Poster: sharma21.richa

Posted Date: 2013-01-16 08:57:07.443

The datasocket,when opened shows 2 matrices only, by default i.e intensity matrix (showing spots X,spots Y)and centroid matrix(showing centroid positions).As far as i understand, intensities are not absolute, as we can see 0 value at the center and some negative values.If this is precisely the case, then how do we retrieve absolute intensities (in grey scale as mentioned in the manual) for each lenslet domain from this matrix ?? And is the second matrix giving us positions of centroids in terms of pixels,so that if we have selected 320*320 pixels , then for a perfect plane wave,center centroid position should be (160,160)and centroid at exterme left beginning should be at approx.(17.78,17.78) ??? Am I correct??

Poster: tschalk

Posted Date: 2012-12-11 06:58:00.0

This is a response from Thomas at Thorlabs. Thank you very much for your inquiry. There is no particular reason why the measurement should change. The mechanical components and the magnets are strong enough to keep the lenslet array in the same position over years. All cameras which are used for WFS have a hot pixel correction. What happens through the aging effect and temperature cycles of the sensor, is that new hot pixels appear. Although such single pixel defects do not degrade the WFS accuracy noticeably, functions like the automatic exposure control may be influenced. In case a new, stable and strong hot pixel (more than 50 digits intensity deviation to ambient pixels) becomes visible, you may send your WFS instrument back to Thorlabs in order to repeat the hot pixel correction.

Poster:

Posted Date: 2012-12-10 09:48:27.66

If I use your wavefront camera to measure a known curved mirror with the same set-up year after year will I get the same measurement or will there be a drift in the accuracy?

Poster: tschalk

Posted Date: 2012-11-07 07:34:00.0

A response from Thomas at Thorlabs: Thank you for your inquiry! If you want to calculate tilt and shift you can use the Zernike coefficients Mode 2 and 3. You can find more detailed information in the manual in section 6.3.8 “Zernike Fit and Zernike Modes”. To calculate the incident angle, use these formulas: W(y)= 2*cn*y -> Incident angle y-axis: Alpha = arctan(4*c(2)/D) W(x)= 2*cn*x -> Incident angle x-axis: Betta = arctan(4*c(3)/D) c(2): value of the Zernike coefficient Mode 2 c(3): value of the Zernike coefficient Mode 3 D: Diameter of the pupil I hope this helps. I will contact you directly with more detailed information.

Poster: olivier.hignette

Posted Date: 2012-11-06 10:01:18.84

I have used the SH with success to measure Radii of wavefronts , but I would now like to get the most basic information : tip tilt with respect to my initial set up( collimated wavefront) to rotate and measure wedges of plates . I could do that with an autocollimator , but i have none available right now I cannot get this information displayed , just an idea with the Zernike Bar graph

Poster: jvigroux

Posted Date: 2012-07-30 06:05:00.0

A response from Julien at Thorlabs: Thank you for your inquiry! There will indeed be a chromatic shift of the focal length of the microlenses when the wavelength departs form the design wavelength. This shift will mostly however only slightly modify the focus size of the spots on the camera chip. The position of the centroid will not be affected by this shift. As a result, the wavefront measurement will remain accurate over the complete specified range

Poster: nfarmiga

Posted Date: 2012-07-26 08:31:53.0

We are using the WFS150-5C for a calibration test fixture and need to know the absolute accuracy of radius of curvature measurements reported. The specs indicate that the WFS works over the waveband from 300 to 1100 nm, but the manual indicates that the sensor is calibrated at 633 nm and that the micro-lens array is fused silica (which, by itself, cannot be achromatic). Since wavefront measurement accuracy depends on the focal length of the micro-lens array, should we expect the absolute accuracy to decrease as we use wavelengths that are farther from the calibration wavelength? Or is there some sort of achromatization in the WFS lens system so that the specified wavefront accuracy applies over the entire waveband?

Poster: jvigroux

Posted Date: 2012-03-27 10:36:00.0

A response from Julien at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback! the use of a different CCD chip for our wavefront sensor would imply a complete new design, such that we will not be able to offer a short term solution to address the point you raised. We will nonetheless definitely take into account your feedback so that, hopefully, we will be able to offer a bigger chip for the wavefront sensor soon.

Poster: dtmiller

Posted Date: 2012-03-27 04:18:24.0

My research lab already has one of Thorlabs' WFS150 series wavefront sensors and we like it quite a bit. However, we constantly run into the aperture size (5.95mmx4.76mm) of the sensor being too small for the beams we diagnose, typically up to 10 mm in diameter. Given the availability of large format CCD and CMOS cameras, it would be great if Thorlabs could expand their wavefront sensor series to include a large format CCD (e.g., 10mm x 10 mm). My hunch is that many labs would fine this attractive and would be willing to pay more for the extra diameter.

Poster: jvigroux

Posted Date: 2012-01-25 17:07:00.0

A response from Julien at Thorlabs: There are different approaches used to get rid of such effects. In your case, the simplest will probably consist in changing the light source for one that has a lesser coherence and/or which is possibly randomly polarized. I will contact you directly to discuss the details and requirements of your set up.

Poster: martin.staerk2011

Posted Date: 2012-01-25 15:33:57.0

I use a red 4mW HeNe laser. But it creates speckles around the middle spot and so the wavefront image appears not to be plane. What type of light source would you recommend to use? Or is there another way to get rid of the speckles?

Poster: bdada

Posted Date: 2011-12-28 19:35:00.0

Response from Buki at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. We will contact you to quote a sensor and extra mounted lens array so you can create a custom kit for your application. Please contact TechSupport@thorlabs.com if you have any questions.

Poster: franxm

Posted Date: 2011-12-28 10:06:56.0

I'm interested in a kit with two 150 um lenslet pitch, one AR and one Chrome configuration. Could this be made available? We use long and short wavelength sources. Thanks

Poster: j.y.wang

Posted Date: 2011-11-10 14:03:14.0

Hi, I would like to ask a question. Will the software come with the wfs be able to process an offline image taken from another camera and provide the wavefront information as it works for the wfs? Thanks.

Poster: bdada

Posted Date: 2011-11-10 11:39:00.0

Response from Buki at Thorlabs: Thank you for participating in our Feedback Forum. We have contacted you to discuss your application further.

Poster: bdada

Posted Date: 2011-10-19 13:35:00.0

Response from Buki at Thorlabs: Thank you for your feedback. For the green laser diode, please consider our 543nm HeNe with part number HGP005. We also have a diode pumped solid state laser at 532nm, the DJ532-10. This would require a temperature controlled mount, such as LDM9T or TCLDM9 and a driver. Please contact TechSupport@thorlabs.com if you have further questions.

Poster: jason.tan

Posted Date: 2011-10-16 21:57:03.0

I want building a single lens wavefront tester, the test wavelength :530~540nm(green), and used the WFS150-5C, the reference wavefront is a shpere wavefront, do you have any suggestion about the diode laser?

Poster: jvigroux

Posted Date: 2011-09-01 14:39:00.0

A response from Julien at Thorlabs: It is not sufficient to add the path to the library WFS_Drv.lib within the project settings. You need to tell Visual Studio that this particular file needs to be loaded.There are three ways for this (one is sufficient): 1. After setting the path, you need to add the library by name "WFS_Drv.lib" in Linker-->Input-->Additional Dependencies 2. You may add the following pragma to the sample source code: #pragma comment(lib, " WFS_Drv") 3. Add the WFS_Drv.lib to the project. I will send you a project that shows how this can be done in practice.

Poster: gmgruber01

Posted Date: 2011-08-31 18:31:44.0

I need some help in doing a build on the supplied sample code that came with the Wavefront Sensor (Model 150-5C). The header of the sample file suggests that all I need is to set the include path. Im using Visual Studio 2010 Pro. I have set the, includes path in the project property page to the dir = (.\VISA\WinNT\include)as it was installed. Sample does compile, but doesnt build. OK. Cant find the lib. So I set the project property page to dir = (.\VISA\WinNT\lib\msc) to find (WFS_Drv.lib). Still got build errors, so included (.\VISA\WinNT\Thorlabs WFS\Typelib) to find (WFS_Drv.def). I get the following 4 warnings & 29 errors. Can anybody help? 1> sample.c 1>c:\sw_dev\vs2010\02wfs\examples\c\sample.c(185): warning C4047: function : WFS_hdl differs in levels of indirection from void * 1>c:\sw_dev\vs2010\02wfs\examples\c\sample.c(185): warning C4024: WFS_RevisionQuery : different types for formal and actual parameter 1 1>c:\sw_dev\vs2010\02wfs\examples\c\sample.c(599): warning C4244: = : conversion from double to int, possible loss of data 1>c:\sw_dev\vs2010\02wfs\examples\c\sample.c(610): warning C4101: mla_cnt : unreferenced local variable 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_TakeSpotfieldImage@4 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_GetHighspeedWindows@28 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_SetHighspeedMode@20 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_ZernikeLsf@20 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_CalcWavefrontStatistics@28 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_CalcWavefront@16 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_GetSpotDeviations@12 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_CalcSpotToReferenceDeviations@8 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_GetSpotCentroids@12 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_CalcSpotsCentrDiaIntens@12 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_CalcBeamCentroidDia@20 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_GetSpotfieldImage@16 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_close@4 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_GetStatus@8 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_TakeSpotfieldImageAutoExpos@12 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_SetPupil@36 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_SetReferencePlane@8 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_ConfigureCam@20 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_SelectMla@8 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_GetInstrumentInfo@20 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_init@8 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_RevisionQuery@12 referenced in function _main 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_ErrorMessage@12 referenced in function _handle_errors 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_GetInstrumentListInfo@20 referenced in function _select_instrument 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_GetInstrumentListLen@4 referenced in function _select_instrument 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_GetMlaData@40 referenced in function _select_mla 1>sample.obj : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WFS_GetMlaCount@8 referenced in function _select_mla 1>C:\SW_Dev\VS2010\02WFS\Examples\C\sampleWFS\Debug\sampleWFS.exe : fatal error LNK1120: 27 unresolved externals ========== Rebuild All: 0 succeeded, 1 failed, 0 skipped ==========

Poster: tor

Posted Date: 2011-01-04 15:25:08.0

Response from Tor at Thorlabs to John: The WFS150C software requires a USB 2.0 port; earlier versions are not usable. Please refer to section 2.1 of the manual for details on system requirements: http://www.thorlabs.com/Thorcat/19900/19905-D02.pdf

Poster: bowen

Posted Date: 2010-12-18 14:16:25.0

Does this software for the WFS150-C work on USB 1.0 ports? I have installed it on an older laptop and the camera does not come up. thanks, John Bowen bowen@photongear.com

Poster: julien

Posted Date: 2010-12-08 10:36:09.0

An answer from Julien at Thorlabs: The different models of wavefront sensors differ only through the microlens array they use. Two microlens arrays have a pitch of 150µm. The MLA150M-5C (WFS150-5C) is recommended for general use where reflected light back from the array is not a problem. For application where the reflections can be an issue, we recommend using the MLA150M-7AR (WFS150-7AR), which has a broadband AR coating. The MLA300M-15AR (WFS300-14AR) uses the same AR coating but has a longer focal length and a wider pitch (300µm). This leads to an increased accuracy and sensitivity, at the expense of the dynamic range. Those points are addressed more accurately in the specs tab on the WFS web page. I will contact you directly to further discuss your application in order to find out which WFS is most adapted to your need.

Poster: gsirat1

Posted Date: 2010-12-07 15:45:29.0

How to choose between the models of the Schack Hartman? What are the advantages of each model?

Poster: tor

Posted Date: 2010-11-10 15:17:38.0

A response from Tor at Thorlabs to mjerzak47: We will contact you directly to troubleshoot this issue.

Poster: mjerzak47

Posted Date: 2010-11-10 13:27:24.0

Hello, when I use a positive lens to generate a converging beam from a collimated beam the value of Optometric constant - Sphere has a wrong (negative) sign. Same thing happens with a negative lens - Sphere has a positive sign, why is that?

Poster: julien

Posted Date: 2010-08-05 10:35:05.0

A response from Julien at Thorlabs to Laura: The array is placed above the sensor so that the X and Y directions of the array match the ones of the sensor. The position of the lenslets themselves relative to the pixels is not exactly known. Instead, a calibration is done during the production where a flat wavefront impinges perpendicularly onto the WFS. The centroid positions are then stored as calibration reference. The positions of the centroids are referenced to the top left corner of the sensor.

Poster: laura.waller

Posted Date: 2010-08-02 15:53:47.0

Hello, i have one of these and am looking for the data on which pixels correspond to which lenslets in the array. Can i assume pixel (1,1) is aligned to the top left corner of lenslet (1,1) ?? Serial number info is: WFS150-5C M00239612 thanks, Laura Waller (lwaller@princeton.edu)

Poster: michael.schaefer

Posted Date: 2010-07-26 13:21:23.0

Hi there, you mention a reflectivity of 25??? percent for this product. shouldnt this be 0.25% ? Michael

Poster: Thorlabs

Posted Date: 2010-07-26 10:41:15.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to michael.schaefer: Thank you very much for your feedback. The <25% reflectivity spec for the WFS150 wavefront sensor with the chrome mask is correct. The WFS150-5C microlens is not AR coated; the chrome mask blocks light that is not passing through the microlenses. As a result, a relatively high percentage of the incoming light is reflected in exchange for high contrast.

Poster: xgliu

Posted Date: 2010-06-25 16:16:53.0

hi, need to check out the software for this product. does it have any interface to other software, like LabVIEW or Matlab? In our application, we need to pass the wavefront profile to another program (in Matlab or LabVIEW)for further processing...and this is preferably in real time.... Thanks a lot...

Poster: Thorlabs

Posted Date: 2010-06-25 10:29:13.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to xgliu: the WFS software includes instrument drivers and examples for integration with the LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI platforms. Also, the WFS is also equipped with a DataSocket interface for live data transfer into other applications. As an example, a "wavefront sensor receiver" application including source code is also provided. I will contact you directly with a copy of the WFS manual, which explains these in detail.

Poster: Thorlabs

Posted Date: 2010-06-25 10:14:36.0

Response from Javier at Thorlabs to angel_sinue: it appears that the data stored in the EEPROM of the WFS wavefront sensor is lost. I would recommend sending this unit back for repair. I will contact you directly.

Poster: angel_sinue

Posted Date: 2010-06-24 21:33:07.0

Hi! I need some help with the product. It appears that the Wavefront sensor is not being recognized by the application software, instead, only the DCU camera is being recognized by the software, and therefore, no graphics from the measured wavefront are displayed, I really need some help out here.

Poster: nssycit

Posted Date: 2010-06-08 20:57:13.0

hello, I want to know more about the Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor, that is, whats the brand and model of the sensor? And can you send the SDK of the camera to me? thank you sir.

Poster: julien

Posted Date: 2010-06-08 16:26:46.0

a response from Julien at Thorlabs: We provide a SDK for the wavefront sensor (installed during the sofwtare installation), with which you can access all the basic function of the unit. Unfortunately I cannot disclose the brand and model name of the CCD camera. However, I would be happy to discuss your application with you to find a way we can help with the software implementation of the functions you need for your application. I will contact you directly per email.

Poster:

Posted Date: 2010-05-18 16:38:42.0

A response from Florian at Thorlabs to bowen: The updated drawings are now online.

Poster: Adam

Posted Date: 2010-05-12 08:50:36.0

A response from Adam at Thorlabs to bowen: I agree that this thread specification should be added to the drawing. We are in the process of adding this to the drawing and will put the updated drawing on the web.

Poster: bowen

Posted Date: 2010-05-11 16:36:31.0

Thread size for main optical aperture, part WFS150-5C, is not given. Text gives it, but it would be nice to have on the print.

Poster: apalmentieri

Posted Date: 2010-03-01 17:13:32.0

A response from Adam at Thorlabs to gidiloo: At this time we do not have a product similar to the wavefront sensor that is AR coating at 1550nm. Unfortunately, an AR coating alone will not solve the issue as the camera will not detect the 1550nm light. Please note that we are always looking for new product ideas and I will inform our engineers of this idea. I would also like to get more information about your application, but will email you directly to get this information.

Poster: apalmentieri

Posted Date: 2010-03-01 14:44:55.0

A response from Adam at Thorlabs to Ajgonsalves: Although we guarantee a wavefront accuracy of lambda/15 only, the instruments hardware might be able to detect even smaller aberrations. Especially when calibrated in the application setup using a plane or ideal spherical wavefront, the relative accuracy can be better than lambda/25 (0.04 waves). We often see such values during our production tests. Id encourage you to test a demo unit in order to check its performance in your lab. The labview drivers have the full functionality of capture and analysis.

Poster: gidiloo

Posted Date: 2010-03-01 14:24:25.0

Hi, Would you have anything similar to the Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor but AR for 1550nm? Thanks, Gideon

Poster: ajgonsalves

Posted Date: 2010-02-12 14:54:30.0

The wavefront sensitivity seems to be quite poor for this type of wavefront sensor. e.g. ?/15 rms (@ 633 nm) for the model with 150micron lenslet pitch. Why is this? Is there a different number for the relative sensitivity as opposed to absolute? i.e. if we are subtracting a reference and looking at changes in the wavefront is the sensitivity still ?/15 rms? Also do the labview drivers support full funtionality of capture and analysis?

Poster: jens

Posted Date: 2009-12-19 17:50:07.0

A reply from Jens at Thorlabs: one reason for this could be that the incorrect USB driver is used. We will have to check which serial number your sensor has and which driver is currently loaded, I will provide you the link to the driver files so this can be changed if it turns out to be the root cause. Based on the serial number we will also be able to check the calibration data of the unit. I will contact you directly with the driver details and pictures showing where to find the necessary details.

Poster: wjj

Posted Date: 2009-12-19 09:40:48.0

How to solve this problem when I use this product? (1)Checksum error while loading calibration data from warefront sensor. (2)Unable to recover WFS calibration data!You are probably using a Thorlabs DCU camera which is not supported by this wavefront sensor application software!

Poster: ekrause

Posted Date: 2009-12-09 14:47:48.0

A WFS 2.0 beta version is meanwhile available here: http://www.thorlabs.com/software/MUC/WFS/Software/WFS_2.0beta.zip This beta is not fully tested and misses an updated manual and help file. Please unzip and install: - USB_Cam_Driver_3.50.zip - (camera USB driver, required anyway) - WFS_Appl_2.0beta.zip - (WFS application) - WFS_Drv_2.0beta.zip - (Driver package, C, DotNet, LabView)

Poster: ekrause

Posted Date: 2009-12-09 02:15:13.0

Yes, the new software release 2.0 includes a trigger option now, it will be released very soon on this web page. Edges LH or HL can trigger camera exposure with adjustable delay time (15 µs – 4 s). A special cable will be supplied for this.

Poster:

Posted Date: 2009-12-08 13:49:11.0

With reference to my post of 5/5/08 and Lauries responce on 5/7/08. Has a upgrade of the software included a triggered option yet? (I guess from dtmillers posting on 7/21/09 the answer is no). Is there really a plan to suport triggering (measuring low rep rate pulsed lasers)at some point?

Poster: klee

Posted Date: 2009-10-07 12:16:58.0

A response from Ken at Thorlabs to Miroslav.Belov: Can you double check the part number? We do not have BP106 in our system.

Poster: Miroslav.Belov

Posted Date: 2009-10-07 11:07:47.0

Can we expand/upgrade our BP106 to a wavefront sensor? Thanks, Miro

Poster: Laurie

Posted Date: 2009-09-01 15:30:06.0

Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to angelcf: Thank you for your interest in our wavefront sensors. If you look at page 33 of our manual for our adaptive optics kit (search for AOK1-UM01), which utilizes this wavefront sensor, you will find a short discussion on the indices being used for our Zernike polynomials as well as a reference. If you should need additional information, please let us know.

Poster: angelcf

Posted Date: 2009-08-30 06:50:16.0

Hi Laurie at Thorlabs, could you please send me a copy of the file that lists the Zernike polynomial indices being used with your wavefront sensor software???

Poster: jhartmann

Posted Date: 2009-07-21 09:56:58.0

A response from Juergen at Thorlabs to dtmiller : WFS150(C) is based on one of our CCD cameras, DCU224M. The trigger input works for DCU224M and the camera software. If its converted to WFS150, the trigger input is without function - WFS150 software does not support external triggering

Poster: dtmiller

Posted Date: 2009-07-19 14:46:00.0

Does the WFS150 camera have an external trigger that allows it to be synchronized with other electronic devices? If it does not have an external trigger, does Thorlabs have any recommendations on how it can be synchronized?

Poster: jens

Posted Date: 2009-07-04 06:41:57.0

A reply from Jens at Thorlabs: The definition within the wavefront data array is: first index = y, second index = x. This was chosen because our C compiler uses this convention when displaying arrays for debugging. Graphical toolbox software normally has a different convention: first index = x second index = y. That’s why the Wavefront Sensor software copies the wavefront array into another array with flipped x and y axes prior to display. Columns become rows and vice versa. If you do the same the output will be identical to the Wavefront Sensor software.

Poster: david.lee

Posted Date: 2009-07-03 09:54:23.0

Does the coordinate system displayed on the wavefront error results screen match that used in the csv file output? My measurements seem to show a 180 degree rotation of the data.

Poster: Laurie

Posted Date: 2008-12-23 09:04:20.0

Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to jason.zweiback: Thank you for feedback concerning our WFS150C. I am glad to hear that you have found the instrument to be helpful. Concerning the software/functionality, I have passed your comments on to the chief engineer responsible for this particular item so that he can incorporate such improvements into future versions of the software. As newer versions of the software become available, you will be able to download them from our website.

Poster: jason.zweiback

Posted Date: 2008-12-22 12:10:47.0

I recently purchased a WFS150C. Overall I find the instrument easy to use and quite helpful. However, I feel the software needs some additional functionality. As far as I can tell, once you stop acquiring data the software can no longer do any calculations. This would allow one to look at the residual wavefront as one removes or adds Zernikes. Along with this, it would be useful to be able to reload a save wavefront in order to view it and do analysis. The ability to save the wavefront plot as a jpeg would also be useful.

Poster: Tyler

Posted Date: 2008-10-14 11:55:42.0

A response from Tyler at Thorlabs to stordo: The software cannot currently (9/14/2008) handle a central obstruction in the spot field. However, because of your request we are working on a software revision that accommodates obstructions. We will be in contact with you as this process continues to make sure the new software will meet your specifications. This is an exciting opportunity to improve the Thorlabs Shack-Hartmann sensor, thank you for contacting us with the central obstruction issue.

Poster: Laurie

Posted Date: 2008-10-13 10:08:08.0

Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to icsmith: Thank you for your feedback and interest in our wavefront sensors. Since there are various definitions for the Zernike polynomials floating around the literature, I will be personally emailing you a .pdf file that lists the Zernike polynomial indices being used with our wavefront sensor software. Once youve had a chance to take a look at it, please feel free to contact us with any additional questions so that we can clarify further if necessary.

Poster: icsmith

Posted Date: 2008-10-09 18:05:17.0

There seems to be a slight inconsistency in the software package in the way it deals with Zernike modes. The instructions claim the WFS orders the Zernike terms as defined by Malacara (with the highest 2nd index coming first) but software’s main display and the table included in the wavefront sensor set up menu orders them differently? (the lowest 2nd index ,negative, coming first). Ive been writing a interface (reading the Zernike modes through the DataSocket) that can also reconstruct the phase from the Zernike and have tried both ordering schemes, the true Malacara scheme seems to give the best results in matching the "measured" wavefront display in the ThorLab software but doesnt match the "reconstructed" display well. Any ideas? a definitive listing of the indexes and the actual polynomials would be reassuring. Thanks-Ian

Poster: stordo

Posted Date: 2008-10-06 10:50:59.0

I would like to know it the software can handle central obstruction. For instance, can the software reconstruct zernike coefficients of a wavefront with a round central obstruction?

Poster: Laurie

Posted Date: 2008-09-12 12:43:29.0

Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to yangjiakobe: Thank you for your interest in our wavefront sensors. The WFS150C has an input aperture of 5.95 x 4.76 mm. However, based on your question of compatibility with your microscope, I presume that you are interested in the diameter of the round opening at the front of the housing, which is 32 mm. If you are not familiar with our website, mechanical drawings for all products can be found under the Drawings and Documents Tab. Here you can view a .pdf file that shows you all of the dimensions for the wavefront housing. Also, our wavefront sensors have a C-Mount thread. However, if a different threading is needed, we do offer adapters to other standards, which can be found at this website: http://www.thorlabs.com/NewGroupPage9.cfm?ObjectGroup_ID=1747&pn=SM1A9. If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

Poster: yangjiakobe

Posted Date: 2008-09-12 11:16:12.0

Dear Sir or Madam, Could you please tell me the dimensions of the aperture of the wavefront sensor 150C? We need a wave front sensor and want to fix it onto a microscope. So the thread of the mount of WFS150C should be compatible with the our microscope. Whats the type of the mount thread of WFS150C? Thank you.

Poster: Laurie

Posted Date: 2008-07-17 09:01:04.0

Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to roedel: Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, our WFS150 cannot at this time be triggered externally. We are currently working on an updated version that has this functionality. If you should have additional questions, please dont hesitate to contact us.

Poster: roedel

Posted Date: 2008-07-17 05:38:22.0

Dear Sir or Madam, can the wave front sensor 150 be triggered externally? That would be very important to know because we want to use it with a pulsed laser with a repetition rate of 10 Hz. Thanks in advance,

Poster: Laurie

Posted Date: 2008-05-07 11:06:57.0

Response from Laurie at Thorlabs to icsmith: The WFS150 sensor is based on our DCU223M CCD camera. The appropriate trigger cable for this hardware is item CAB-DCU-T1. However, at this time, the wavefront sensor software is not capable of triggering a wavefront capture. In the next software release, a number of improvements will be implemented, including trigger capabilities. Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions.

Poster: icsmith

Posted Date: 2008-05-05 18:29:38.0

It would be good to suply the micro SubD 9 pin digital control cable for this camera. Cordinating exactly when a measurment is taken is very difficult without the cameras trigger function which is only possible through the cable. The conector doesnt seem to be standard and I have been unable to find one.

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