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