Single-pixel wavefront sensing via vectorial polarization modulation[Invited]

The Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor(SHWFS)is commonly used for its high speed and precision in adaptive optics.However,its performance is limited in low light conditions,particularly when observing faint objects in astronomical applications.Instead of a pixelated detector,we present a new approach for wavefront sensing using a single-pixel detector,which is able to code the spatial position of a light spot array into the polarization dimension and decode the polarization state in the polar coordinate.We propose validation experiments with simple and complex wavefront distortions to demonstrate our approach as a promising alternative to traditional SHWFS systems,with potential applications in a wide range of fields.