Adaptive optics is a new and growing research area aimed at creating high-quality imagery by correcting aberrations in optical systems caused by turbulence in the earth's atmosphere. This paper concentrates on the basics of physical optics leading into the design of an adaptive optics test bed to study the correction of aberrations using optical beam control. Adaptive optics requires the use of sophisticated optical equipment such as deformable mirrors and wavefront sensors. The experimental portion of the work focuses on using a deformable mirror to control the aberrations in a system using laser light. By using a combination of lenses, deformable mirror, and wavefront sensor, the test bed will correct aberrations induced into a plane wave. In addition, the mechanics and function these components was be explored, setting the building blocks for future studies concerning optical beam control.