Two Point Resolution Criterion For Multi-Aperture Telescopes

Abstract

The next generation of large telescopes may involve designs which use multiple parallel apertures. The two-point resolution criteria (Rayleighl or Sparrow2) is the classic way of comparing telescopes. However, there is no standard two-point resolution criterion for multi-aperture systems. The authors propose a new resolution criterion which accounts for the unique characteristics of a multi-aperture impulse response. The impulse response of a multi-aperture system is characterized by a primary peak and side-peaks which are dependent on the spacing of the individual subapertures which comprise the multi-aperture system. As the spacing between the subapertures increase, the intensity of the side-peaks increase. To illustrate the difference between two-point source diffraction patterns from a single aperture and a six-aperture system of an equivalent diameter, refer to Figure 1.