Practical Optical Interferometry
Imaging at Visible and Infrared Wavelengths
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
Published:28th Jul '15
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
A practically focused guide to optical interferometry, bringing together core concepts needed to plan observations, analyse data and reconstruct images.
Addressing for the first time the needs of graduate students and researchers for a comprehensive yet concise single source of information on the techniques and practical application of optical interferometry in astronomy, this volume is a highly visual and rigorous guide to planning observations, analysing data and reconstructing images.Optical interferometry is a powerful technique to make images on angular scales hundreds of times smaller than is possible with the largest telescopes. This concise guide provides an introduction to the technique for graduate students and researchers who want to make interferometric observations and acts as a reference for technologists building new instruments. Starting from the principles of interference, the author covers the core concepts of interferometry, showing how the effects of the Earth's atmosphere can be overcome using closure phase, and the complete process of making an observation, from planning to image reconstruction. This rigorous approach emphasizes the use of rules-of-thumb for important parameters such as the signal-to-noise ratios, requirements for sampling the Fourier plane and predicting image quality. The handbook is supported by web resources, including the Python source code used to make many of the graphs, as well as an interferometry simulation framework, available at www.cambridge.org/9781107042179.
'… a rare gem of clear and rigorous explanation …' Barry R. Masters, Optics and Photonic News
'David Buscher … is among the top tier of interferometrists internationally and has exploited his experience in creating this valuable resource for those who might want to build interferometers themselves or better utilize ones to which they have access. … The writing style is excellent and thoughtful in anticipating questions that would arise in the minds of students who are endeavouring to understand a field that can be obscured by experts either less experienced or less caring about demistifying interferometry. Indeed, this benefits not only from Buscher's technical expertise but also from his years of teaching. Practical Optical Interferometry is a wonderful resource that fulfills a long-standing need for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs enticed by the prospects of sub-milliarcsecond spatial resolution.' Harold A. McAlister, The Observatory
'In this slim and very readable book David F. Buscher does a fantastic job of providing a textbook, that covers the theory of using interferometry at optical and near infrared wavelengths that also provides a wealth of practical advice on all aspects of optical interferometry. It is pitched at a level valuable to undergraduate students learning about the subject, but also a useful addition for practising engineers, designers and scientists … It is lovely to see an introduction to the topic that assumes nothing in the way of background other than basic intelligence and an interest in the topic. … many of the ideas described are fully expressed in the interferometry simulation framework provided … I found this to be a very helpful book and would certainly be happy to recommend it either as a good student text, or a useful read for anyone else looking for an introduction to the field.' Mark Nicol, Contemporary Physics
ISBN: 9781107042179
Dimensions: 235mm x 160mm x 17mm
Weight: 570g
286 pages