Simulation of imaging performance for extremely large segmented telescopes

Natalia Yaitskova; Kjetil Dohlen

doi:10.1117/12.391517

20 July 2000 Simulation of imaging performance for extremely large segmented telescopes

Natalia Yaitskova, Kjetil Dohlen

Proceedings Volume 4003, Optical Design, Materials, Fabrication, and Maintenance; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.391517
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2000, Munich, Germany

Abstract

Two characteristics of next generation extremely large ground-based telescopes are certain: (1) they will be segmented, with active control of segment position, tilt and, possibly, shape, and (2) they will have adaptive correction of atmospheric wavefront errors. Both these aspects place new constraints on wavefront sensing and wavefront correction. For quantitative analysis of the wavefront sensing requirements of these telescopes, it is necessary to analyze the effects of segmentation on image quality. To achieve this we are building a telescope simulator for calculating PSF and related image quality parameters: Strehl ratio, encircled energy, modulation transfer function, etc. A large number of segments (up to 10,000) may be simulated, each affected by piston and tilt errors. Piston and tilt errors are randomly generated to create realistic mirror configurations. Due to the large number of segments, interesting results are observed, both with respect to numerical statistics and diffraction. Strehl ratio as a function of rms piston error is found to depend upon the probability density function of the piston error, and the dominant effect in the case of segment tilt is that of diffraction from a 2D grating rather than the geometrically expected multiple image. Fine analysis of simulated point-spread function allows a discussion of the pertinence of different image quality parameters for the case of segmentation errors.

Citation Download Citation

Natalia Yaitskova and Kjetil Dohlen "Simulation of imaging performance for extremely large segmented telescopes", Proc. SPIE 4003, Optical Design, Materials, Fabrication, and Maintenance, (20 July 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.391517

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