This invention is a reference-free snapshot wavefront camera that can be used to measure both amplitude and phase of the wavefront. The camera uses a two-dimensional diffraction grating to split the incoming wavefront into multiple copies which then travel through a lens that focuses them onto a sensor in a camera array. The resulting wavefront information is encoded and captured by a camera array, and numerically decoded by a wavefront reconstruction algorithm. This method offers a significant advantage over existing techniques and its high space-temporal resolution is useful for studying fast-changing phenomena in a wide range of fields. Background: Wavefront, encompassing both amplitude and phase of a coherent wavefield, has been extensively employed in adaptive optics and astronomy. Wavefront estimation plays a pivotal role in two-mode interferometry, a field extensively investigated in gravity wave detection and quantum state analysis. Current solutions for characterizing wavefronts exist, but they have limitations. Techniques like Shack-Hartmann sensors and holography rely on multiple components and can be slow. Additionally, they might require specific conditions or limit the type of wavefront being analyzed. These limitations can hinder the study of fast-changing phenomena. This new snapshot wavefront camera aims to address these shortcomings through a simpler and faster approach that makes it ideal for studying dynamic events. Applications:
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