THORLABS WFS20-14AR, Operation Manual

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Wavefront Sensor
3 Coordinate Definitions
The Wavefront Sensors use an orthogonal right-
hand coordinate system (x,y,z) as shown to the left.
When looking towards the light source, the x-direc-
tion points towards the right, the y-direction points
up, and the optical beam to be analyzed is propaga-
ting in the z direction towards the entrance aperture
of the Wavefront Sensor.
The graphs in the Wavefront Sensor GUI (Spotfield,
Beam View) are defined in the same way - the posi-
tive X axis points rightwards and the Y axis points
upwards.
Spotfield Graph
Beam View Graph
In the Wavefront Graph shown in 3D, the cross section in the X/Y plane of the beam is drawn
at the bottom, and the Z axis points upwards. The beam is shown to emerge up from the bot-
tom and the displayed 3D curve will represent the wavefront at the top of the beam.