Introduction to Image Stabilization

The use of image stabilization has grown to the point that it is now a common component of modern optical systems for imaging, communications, and remote-sensing applications. The benefits of image stabilization to astronomical research alone are so rich that it is common for astronomical telescopes, built over the last century, to be retrofitted with fast steering mirrors and tip-tilt sensors to extend their useful lifetimes. This text provides the basics of image stabilization starting with a consideration of the cause of image blurring and an introduction to the components commonly used in constructing a stabilized imaging system. With this foundation, an example image stabilized system is described and used to introduce some of the important parameters in evaluating the performance of image stabilization systems. As image stabilization systems are key components of adaptive optics systems, the more sophisticated sensing and correction devices used in this area are briefly addressed. Rather than being a mathematical, rigorous treatment of image stabilization, it provides the basic ideas in an easy-to-read format. Contents - Image Stabilization- Effects of Turbulence on a Wavefront- Wavefront Sensors- Low Order Wavefront Compensation- Image Stabilization Systems Simplified- Performance- Image Stabilization Systems- Alternative Approaches- Bibliography