Evaluation of image-shift measurement algorithms for solar Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors

TLDR: In this article, the inherent accuracy of the methods and the effects of various sources of error, such as noise, bias mismatch, and blurring, were evaluated and the best methods for shift measurements were based on the square difference function and the absolute difference function squared, with subpixel accuracy accomplished by use of two-dimensional quadratic interpolation.

Abstract: Context. Solar Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensors measure differential wavefront tilts as the relative shift between images from different subapertures. There are several methods in use for measuring these shifts. Aims. We evaluate the inherent accuracy of the methods and the effects of various sources of error, such as noise, bias mismatch, and blurring. We investigate whether Z-tilts or G-tilts are measured. Methods. We test the algorithms on two kinds of artificial data sets, one corresponding to images with known shifts and one corresponding to seeing with different r0. Results. Our results show that the best methods for shift measurements are based on the square difference function and the absolute difference function squared, with subpixel accuracy accomplished by use of two-dimensional quadratic interpolation. These methods measure Z-tilts rather than G-tilts.