Modern space telescopes are demanded to have a very large aperture in order to achieve high resolution. The notion of the sparse aperture systems introduces a new solution to make the telescopes practicable. It is significant to simulate sparse aperture systems before their application in space observation. The multiple mirror telescope (MMT) is one type of sparse aperture systems and Golay3 is the configuration serving as a good start. The method to simulate Golay3 MMT is investigated. The fundamental principle of optical surfaces simulation using the optical design program is discussed. It is proposed that Golay3 MMT simulation can be accomplished by programming to establish surface files with the aid of the interface of this program. The structure of Golay3 MMT in which three sub-mirrors replace the monolithic spherical primary mirror is analyzed. The formulas determining locations of sub-mirrors on the spherical primary mirror are deduced. The surface file representing the primary mirror is created by external programming and defining properties of rays passing through it. The simulation procedures are introduced in detail. A simulation example is given out and evaluated. It proves that the simulation method is reasonable and effective, and has significant reference values to simulate sparse aperture systems with other structures.

Date Published: 31 December 2013
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 9042, 2013 International Conference on Optical Instruments and Technology: Optical Systems and Modern Optoelectronic Instruments, 90420X (31 December 2013); doi: 10.1117/12.2035372

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9042:
2013 International Conference on Optical Instruments and Technology: Optical Systems and Modern Optoelectronic Instruments
Yongtian Wang; Xiaocong Yuan; Yunlong Sheng; Kimio Tatsuno, Editor(s)