Feasibility of compensation of small-scale inhomogeneities using a Zernike cell

A theoretical analysis is made of a wavefront reversing mirror based on a Zernike cell which does not contain any nonlinear components. Such a mirror can be used to correct small-scale deformations of the wavefront of depth less than one-quarter of the wavelength. The results are given of calculations which make it possible to select the parameters capable of ensuring high-quality wavefront reversal.