Abstract

The effect of multiple aperture systems on coherent and incoherent optical imaging was analyzed. Most of the effort was concentrated on the coherent imaging case. A computer program was developed that predicted the images of several simple objects as viewed through various types of multiple aperture. Objects such as edges, bars, and circles were chosen since more complicated objects can be thought of as a collection of these simple objects. These multiaperture images were produced and photographed in the laboratory. The photographs and the computer-generated plots are then analyzed to determine how the spacing, size, and number of subapertures affect the image. These images are compared and contrasted to determine what information can be obtained from them. Essential information, such as shape, orientation, position, and dimensions of the object, was looked for. Finally, the effects of the same multiple apertures on incoherent imaging are studied, and the results are compared with those of the coherent case.

© 1986 Optical Society of America