The authors have demonstrated a technique for noninvasive imaging and semiautomated detection and analysis of foveal capillaries. In comparison with other studies, their method yielded lower capillary densities than histology but similar results to the current clinical gold standard, fluorescein angiography. The increased field of view of the DCAO instrument opens up new possibilities for high-resolution noninvasive clinical imaging of foveal capillaries.

We present analysis and preliminary laboratory testing of a real-time dual-conjugate adaptive optics (DCAO) instrument for ophthalmology that will enable wide-field high resolution imaging of the retina in vivo. The setup comprises five retinal guide stars (GS) and two deformable mirrors (DM), one conjugate to the pupil and one conjugate to a plane close to the retina. The DCAO instrument has a closed-loop wavefront sensing wavelength of 834 nm and an imaging wavelength of 575 nm. It incorporates an array of collimator lenses to spatially filter the light from all guide stars using one adjustable iris, and images the Hartmann patterns of multiple reference sources on a single detector. Zemax simulations were performed at 834 nm and 575 nm with the Navarro 99 and the Liou- Brennan eye models. Two correction alternatives were evaluated; conventional single conjugate AO (SCAO, using one GS and a pupil DM) and DCAO (using multiple GS and two DM). Zemax simulations at 575 nm based on the Navarro 99 eye model show that the diameter of the corrected field of view for diffraction-limited imaging (Strehl >or= 0.8) increases from 1.5 deg with SCAO to 6.5 deg using DCAO. The increase for the less stringent condition of a wavefront error of 1 rad or less (Strehl >or= 0.37) is from 3 deg with SCAO to approximately 7.4 deg using DCAO. Corresponding results for the Liou-Brennan eye model are 3.1 deg (SCAO) and 8.2 deg (DCAO) for Strehl >or= 0.8, and 4.8 deg (SCAO) and 9.6 deg (DCAO) for Strehl >or= 0.37. Potential gain in corrected field of view with DCAO is confirmed both by laboratory experiments on a model eye and by preliminary in vivo imaging of a human eye.

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Since shearing interferometry, also called shearography, does not depict fringes caused by object tilt, it is a tool well suited for either nondestructive testing of objects under load or for quantitative evaluation of flexural strains. In traditional shearing interferometry, observation of fringes requires optical processing of doubleexposed interferograms. Hence the technique is not in real time. This paper explores the possibilities and limitations for real time shearing fringe observation using the electronic speckle pattern interferometry technique. Prospects for quantitative determination of local tilt and flexural strain using the phase shifting technique are commented on, and some preliminary results are shown.

Large, high-bandwidth deformable mirrors ͑DMs͒ with thousands of actuators for adaptive optics are of high interest for existing large telescopes and indispensable for construction of efficient future extremely large telescopes. Different actuation and sensing principles are possible. We propose a novel concept using commercially available voice coil actuators attached to the back of the mirror with suction cups and using LVDT sensors on the actuators for local stabilization. Also, a new low-cost sensor for easy measurement of DM displacement or velocity has been developed. It has a sensitivity better than 20 nm and a bandwidth wider than 20 to 1000 Hz. Finally, studies are in progress of global, hierarchical mirror form controllers based on many parallel multiple-input, multiple-output regulators of low order.