White Light Heterodyne Interferometry SNR

Abstract

White light heterodyne interferometry is a powerful technique for obtaining high-angular resolution information of astronomical objects, and avoids some of the technical challenges of direct detection interferometry. However, it suffers a significant SNR penalty. This report derives the SNR equations for heterodyne interferometry and compares its performance to a direct detection interferometer in the visible through LWIR wavelength range. Relative performance for imaging deep space, solar-illuminated objects is discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 09, 2015
Accession Number
ADA616869

Entities

People

  • Jonathan B. Ashcom

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Frequency
  • Infrared Radiation
  • Interferometers
  • Interferometry
  • Laser Radar
  • Light Sources
  • Long-Wavelength Infrared Radiation
  • Measurement
  • Optics
  • Phase Measurement
  • Radiation
  • Short-Wavelength Infrared Radiation
  • Shot Noise
  • White Light

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects