Nonlinear analysis of a high-resolution optical wave-front control system

A class of feedback systems for high-resolution optical wave-front control (of adaptive optic wave-front distortion suppression) is modeled and analyzed. Under certain conditions, the nonlinear dynamical system models obtained are shown to be gradient systems, with energy functions that also serve as Lyapunov functions. The approach is applied to a problem of nonlinear control system design, and the analysis is also applicable to other problems involving high-resolution control of physical fields, particularly if the field sensing is performed optically.