Multiple aperture telescope diffraction images
Abstract
After the successful development of the multiple-mirror telescope (MMT) which is now in operation at Mt. Hopkins, Arizona, it appears likely that other large telescopes of the future will also employ several apertures in combination. The characteristics of multiple-aperture telescopes (MAT) are considered along with the diffraction pattern for an array of equal-diameter apertures and the experimental setup for generating the diffraction pattern. An atlas of diffraction images is discussed, taking into account single apertures, linear-spaced arrays, four-square arrays, circular arrays, triangular arrays, Y-arrays, eight-element arrays, arrays with central aperture, Golay arrays, Mills Cross arrays, 12-element arrays, 16-element arrays, and many-aperture arrays. Attention is also given to a quantitative analysis of patterns.
- Publication:
-
Applied Optics and Optical Engineering. Volume 9
- Pub Date:
- 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983aooe....9..149M
- Keywords:
-
- Diffraction Patterns;
- Hole Distribution (Mechanics);
- Imaging Techniques;
- Linear Arrays;
- Telescopes;
- Windows (Apertures);
- Angular Resolution;
- Energy Distribution;
- Hubble Space Telescope;
- Image Resolution;
- Signal To Noise Ratios;
- Wave Diffraction;
- Astronomy