Abstract

The standard two-point resolution criteria for a single-aperture optical system are not appropriate for multiaperture systems. In this paper we propose a new two-point resolution criterion based on the idea of thresholding the irradiances of the resulting far-field diffraction patterns of multiaperture optical systems. Theoretical data of irradiance versus point separation for various multiaperture optical systems are presented. The two-point resolution for these configurations was analyzed. A new two-point resolution criterion in which thresholds are used is demonstrated for coherent and incoherent illumination. Three different multiaperture incoherent systems are compared by using this threshold criterion.

© 1988 Optical Society of America

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