Accession Number:

ADA616869

Title:

White Light Heterodyne Interferometry SNR

Descriptive Note:

Project rept.

Corporate Author:

MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH LEXINGTON LINCOLN LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Ashcom, Jonathan B.

Report Date:

2015-04-09

Pagination or Media Count:

19.0

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.

Descriptors:

• *HETERODYNING
• *INTERFEROMETRY
• *SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO
• *WHITE LIGHT
• COMPARISON
• EQUATIONS
• INFRARED RADIATION
• INTERFEROMETERS
• LONG WAVELENGTHS

Subject Categories:

• Optics
• Radiofrequency Wave Propagation

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE