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Wide-field Fizeau imaging telescope: experimental results
R L Kendrick1, Jean-Noel Aubrun, Ray Bell
1Lockheedmartin Advanced Technology Center, Palo Alto, California 94304, USA. rick.kendrick@lmco.com
Applied Optics
|June 17, 2006
Summary
A novel nine-aperture Fizeau imaging telescope achieves diffraction-limited resolution using coherently phased collector telescopes. Active control corrects wavefront errors, enabling high-resolution astronomical observations.
Area of Science:
- Optical astronomy
- Telescope engineering
- Wavefront sensing
Background:
- Wide-field imaging requires advanced optical systems.
- Coherent phasing of multiple apertures enhances resolution.
- Active wavefront control is crucial for diffraction-limited performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the design and performance of a nine-aperture Fizeau imaging telescope.
- To demonstrate diffraction-limited imaging with a synthetic aperture.
- To present the active control system for tilt and phasing correction.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a nine-aperture Fizeau imaging telescope with 125 mm collectors.
- Coherent phasing of collector telescopes to form a synthetic aperture.
- Implementation of phase diversity for wavefront sensing and active control.
Main Results:
- Achieved diffraction-limited resolution consistent with a 610 mm aperture.
- Measured a phased field of view of 1 microradian.
- Recorded a root-mean-square (rms) wavefront error of 0.08 waves at 635 nm.
Conclusions:
- The nine-aperture Fizeau telescope successfully demonstrates coherent phasing for high-resolution imaging.
- Active control using phase diversity effectively corrects optical aberrations.
- This technology enables advanced wide-field astronomical observations.
