Optical Processor For The Very Large Array (VLA) Radiotelescope: Aberration Analysis

C. C. Aleksoff; L. E. Somers

doi:10.1117/12.958832

22 August 1980 Optical Processor For The Very Large Array (VLA) Radiotelescope: Aberration Analysis

C. C. Aleksoff, L. E. Somers

Proceedings Volume 0231, 1980 Intl Optical Computing Conf I; (1980) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.958832
Event: 1980 Technical Symposium East, 1980, Washington, D.C., United States

Abstract

It is shown that an optical Fourier transform processor can convert VLA telescope visibility data at its input to a high accuracy ski-brightness map at its output. A particularly attractive Fourier transform processor that minimized the number of lens elements and hence potential background scattering sources is one for which the input is placed after the Fourier transform lens. This lens in its simplest form illuminates the input signal with a converging spherical wave. Such a system does not produce a perfect Fourier transform, but rather produces an aberrated one. The aberration is effectively analyzed as an error term within a Fourier transform integral. Error reduction techniques for the output map are described and numerical results from digital simulations are presented for the VLA A-array aperture.

Citation Download Citation

C. C. Aleksoff and L. E. Somers "Optical Processor For The Very Large Array (VLA) Radiotelescope: Aberration Analysis", Proc. SPIE 0231, 1980 Intl Optical Computing Conf I, (22 August 1980); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.958832

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