<title>Reconstruction of images of deep-space objects using Fourier telescopy</title>

Abstract

Fourier Telescopy is an imaging method that can form images of very dim objects with angular resolution of a few nanoradians, attained by means of a synthetic aperture that overcomes the effects of intervening aberrations using mathematical algorithms akin to that of long-baseline radio astronomy. The algorithm makes use of phase closure and advanced wavefront reconstruction techniques from adaptive optics and Knox-Thompson image reconstruction. The imaging technique is active and so can be used even with faint objects. The imaging technique is active and encodes the information in the temporal instead of spatial domain, allowing imaging of faint objects with extremely large, low-cost receivers. An implementation for deep space imaging is shown; it uses large-area solar collectors for the receiver, yielding a low-cost, highperformance design. Simulated images are shown for a potential realization ofthe system.

Simulation of a Fourier telescopy imaging system for objects in low Earth orbit

“…2,3,4 In this system design, for example, three beams would be transmitted simultaneously in pulses to image a geosynchronous object. It would take many hours to transmit the tens of thousands of pulses needed to construct all of the spatial frequencies needed to form an image of the object.…”

Reconstruction of uncompleted frequency spectrum images based on Fourier telescopy

“…In addition, it also has a giant potentially application in the medical treatment and microcosmic detection fields. The forerunner work that regards the FT technique as a test method for distant range weak targets has been firstly completed by Holmes [1][2][3][4] . With the FT theory and key technology researched in the industry and academic circles, research institutions in America set out relevant project plans of spatial weak targets monitoring, and formed a GLINT (GEO Light Imaging National Tested) imaging system used to realize imaging of distant range weak targets [5][6][7][8] in 1999.…”