Astronomical Optics - Daniel J. Schroeder

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Astronomical Optics

By: Daniel J. Schroeder

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Hardcover | 13 September 1999 | Edition Number 2

At a Glance

Hardcover
478 Pages

Edition Type
Revised

Dimensions(cm)
23.5 x 16.51 x 3.18

Hardcover

$466.75

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This book provides a unified treatment of the characteristics of telescopes of all types, both those whose performance is set by geometrical aberrations and the effect of the atmosphere, and those diffraction-limited telescopes designed for observations from above the atmosphere. The emphasis throughout is on basic principles, such as Fermat's principle, and their application to optical systems specifically designed to image distant celestial sources.

The book also contains thorough discussions of the principles underlying all spectroscopic instrumentation, with special emphasis on grating instruments used with telescopes. An introduction to adaptive optics provides the needed background for further inquiry into this rapidly developing area.

Geometrical aberration theory based on Fermat's principle
Diffraction theory and transfer function approach to near-perfect telescopes
Thorough discussion of 2-mirror telescopes, including misalignments
Basic principles of spectrometry; grating and echelle instruments
Schmidt and other catadioptric telescopes
Principles of adaptive optics
Over 220 figures and nearly 90 summary tables

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Science Physics Optical Physics Engineering & Technology Technology in General Astronomy, Space & Time Astronomical Observation & Observatories Applied Physics Astrophysics Science in General Scientific Equipment

Preface	p. xiii
Introduction
A Bit of History	p. 1
Approach to Subject	p. 4
Outline of Book	p. 4
Preliminaries: Definitions and Paraxial Optics	p. 7
Sign Conventions	p. 8
Paraxial Equation for Refraction	p. 9
Paraxial Equation for Reflection	p. 12
Two-Surface Refracting Elements	p. 14
Two-Mirror Telescopes	p. 17
Stops and Pupils	p. 22
Concluding Remarks	p. 25
Bibliography	p. 26
Fermat's Principle: An Introduction	p. 27
Fermat's Principle in General	p. 28
Fermat's Principle and Refracting Surfaces	p. 31
Wave Interpretation of Fermat's Principle	p. 36
Fermat's Principle and Reflecting Surfaces	p. 37
Conic Sections	p. 41
Fermat's Principle and the Atmosphere	p. 42
Concluding Remarks	p. 45
References	p. 47
Bibliography	p. 47
Introduction to Aberrations	p. 48
Reflecting Conics and Focal Length	p. 49
Spherical Aberration	p. 50
Reflecting Conics and Finite Object Distance	p. 57
Off-Axis Aberrations	p. 59
Aberration Compensation	p. 61
References	p. 69
Bibliography	p. 69
Fermat's Principle and Aberrations	p. 70
Application to Surface of Revolution	p. 70
Evaluation of Aberration Coefficients	p. 75
Ray and Wavefront Aberrations	p. 78
Summary of Aberrative Results, Stop at Surface	p. 84
Aberrations for Displaced Stop	p. 88
Aberrations for Multisurface Systems	p. 93
Curvature of Field	p. 97
Aberrations for Decentered Pupil	p. 103
Concluding Remarks	p. 109
Comparison with Seidel Theory	p. 110
References	p. 111
Bibliography	p. 111
Reflecting Telescopes	p. 112
Paraboloid	p. 113
Two-Mirror Telescopes	p. 115
Alignment Errors in Two-Mirror Telescopes	p. 132
Three-Mirror Telescopes	p. 144
Four-Mirror Telescopes	p. 154
Concluding Remarks	p. 161
References	p. 162
Bibliography	p. 162
Schmidt Telescopes and Cameras	p. 164
General Schmidt Configuration	p. 165
Characteristics of Aspheric Plate	p. 167
Schmidt Telescope Example	p. 174
Achromatic Schmidt Telescope	p. 177
Solid- and Semisolid-Schmidt Cameras	p. 181
References	p. 184
Bibliography	p. 184
Catadioptric Telescopes and Cameras	p. 185
Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes	p. 185
Cameras with Meniscus Correctors	p. 197
All-Reflecting Wide-Field Systems	p. 204
References	p. 205
Auxiliary Optics for Telescopes	p. 206
Field Lenses, Flatteners	p. 207
Prime Focus Correctors	p. 210
Cassegrain Focus Correctors	p. 216
Cassegrain Focal Reducers	p. 220
Atmospheric Dispersion Correctors	p. 225
Fiber Optics	p. 237
References	p. 239
Bibliography	p. 239
Diffraction Theory and Aberrations	p. 240
Huygens-Fresnel Principle	p. 241
Perfect Image: Circular Aperture	p. 246
The Near Perfect Image	p. 257
Comparison: Geometric Aberrations and the Diffraction Limit	p. 270
Diffraction Integrals and Fourier Theory	p. 271
References	p. 275
Bibliography	p. 275
Transfer Functions; Hubble Space Telescope	p. 277
Transfer Functions and Image Characteristics	p. 277
Hubble Space Telescope, Prelaunch Expectations	p. 291
Hubble Space Telescope, Postlaunch Reality	p. 298
Concluding Remarks	p. 302
References	p. 303
Bibliography	p. 303
Spectrometry: Definitions and Basic Principles	p. 304
Introduction and Definitions	p. 305
Slit Spectrometers	p. 308
Fiber-Fed Spectrometers	p. 317
Slitless Spectrometers	p. 318
Spectrometers in Diffraction Limit	p. 318
References	p. 320
Bibliography	p. 320
Dispersing Elements and Systems	p. 321
Dispersing Prism	p. 321
Diffraction Grating; Basic Relations	p. 323
Echelles	p. 327
Grating Efficiency	p. 331
Fabry-Perot Interferometer	p. 342
Fourier Transform Spectrometer	p. 347
Concluding Remarks	p. 350
References	p. 350
Bibliography	p. 350
Grating Aberrations; Concave Grating Spectrometers	p. 352
Application of Fermat's Principle to Grating Surface	p. 353
Grating Aberrations	p. 357
Concave Grating Mountings	p. 362
References	p. 367
Bibliography	p. 367
Plane Grating Spectrometers	p. 368
All-Reflecting Spectrometers	p. 369
Pixel Matching	p. 377
Fast Spectrometers	p. 378
Fiber-Fed Spectrometers	p. 383
Echelle Spectrometers	p. 384
Nonobjective Slitless Spectrometers	p. 396
Concluding Remarks	p. 407
References	p. 407
Bibliography	p. 407
Adaptive Optics: An Introduction	p. 409
Effects of Atmospheric Turbulence	p. 410
Correction of Wavefront Distortion	p. 415
Adaptive Optics: Systems and Components	p. 421
Concluding Remarks	p. 423
References	p. 424
Bibliography	p. 424
Detectors, Signal-to-Noise, and Detection Limits	p. 425
Detector Characteristics	p. 426
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	p. 433
Detection Limits and Signal-to-Noise Ratio	p. 435
Detection Limits: Stellar Photometry	p. 438
Detection Limits: Spectroscopy	p. 440
References	p. 443
Bibliography	p. 443
Large Mirrors and Telescope Arrays	p. 444
Large Mirrors	p. 444
Telescope Arrays; Interferometers	p. 451
References	p. 457
Bibliography	p. 457
Table of Symbols	p. 459
Index	p. 467
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.

Astronomical Optics

At a Glance

Hardcover

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