Aperture Synthesis : Methods and Applications to Optical Astronomy / by Swapan Kumar Saha.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Saha, Swapan Kumar., Author.

Series:

Astronomy and Astrophysics Library, 0941-7834

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Astronomy--Observations.

Astronomy.

Astronomy—Observations.

Lasers.

Photonics.

Astronomy, Observations and Techniques.

Optics, Lasers, Photonics, Optical Devices.

Local Subjects:

Astronomy, Observations and Techniques.

Optics, Lasers, Photonics, Optical Devices.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (481 p.)

Edition:

1st ed. 2011.

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Springer New York : Imprint: Springer, 2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Over the years long baseline optical interferometry has slowly gained in importance and today it is a powerful tool. This timely book sets out to highlight the basic principles of long baseline optical interferometry. The book addresses the fundamentals of stellar interferometry with emphasis on aperture synthesis using an array of telescopes particularly at optical/IR wavelengths. It discusses the fundamentals of electromagnetic fields, wave optics, interference, diffraction, and imaging at length. There is a chapter dedicated to radio and intensity interferometry corroborating with basic mathematical steps. The basic principle of optical interferometry and its requirements, its limitations and the technical challenges it poses, are also covered in depth. Assisted by illustrations and footnotes, the book examines the basic tricks of the trade, current trends and methods, and it points to the potential of true interferometry both from the ground and space.

Contents:

Preface

Principal Symbols

List of Acronyms

Introduction to Wave Optics

Principles of Interference

Applications of Interferometry

Single-dish Diffraction-limited Imaging

Basic Tools and Technical Challenges

Discrete-element Interferometers

Image Recovery

Astronomy with Diluted Aperture Interferometry

Appendix A: Transfer Function of an Optical System

Appendix B: Fourier Optics

Appendix C: Spatial Frequency Response

Appendix D: Zernike Representation of Atmospheric Turbulence

Appendix E: Celestial Coordinate System

References

Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 439-457) and index.

ISBN:

1-4419-5710-3