Point spread function of hexagonally segmented telescopes by new symmetrical formulation. Issue 1 (10th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Itoh, S; Matsuo, T; Shibai, H; Sumi, T
• Is Part Of: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Volume 483:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 119
• Page End: 131
• Publication Date: 2018-10-10
• Subjects: instrumentation: miscellaneous -- methods: analytical -- telescope; Astronomy -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 520.5
• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/sty3052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-8711

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A point spread function of hexagonally segmented telescopes is derived by a new symmetrical formulation. By introducing three variables on a pupil plane, the Fourier transform of pupil functions is derived by a 3D Fourier transform. The permutations of three variables correspond to those of a regular triangle's vertices on the pupil plane. The resultant diffraction amplitude can be written as a product of two functions of the three variables; the functions correspond to the sinc function and Dirichlet kernel used in the basic theory of diffraction gratings. The new expression makes it clear that hexagonally segmented telescopes are equivalent to diffraction gratings in terms of mathematical formulae.