Optimal signal and reference strengths for a digital-holography wavefront sensor

This paper uses wave-optics simulations with weak-to-strong scintillation conditions to model the performance of a digital-holography wavefront sensor (DH-WFS). Via Monte Carlo analysis, these simulations predict the optimal signal and reference strengths of a DH-WFS in the off-axis pupil plane recording geometry (PPRG). Incidentally, the Monte Carlo analysis shows that, despite conventional knowledge, we cannot directly relate the signal-to-noise ratio and the field-estimated Strehl ratio to the hologram fringe visibility. Such results are directly inform ongoing experimental efforts on how to design and build a DH-WFS in the off-axis PPRG to properly handle weak-to-strong scintillation conditions.