An Introduction to Optical Stellar Interferometry

This book, first published in 2006, describes the theory and uses of interferometry for advanced students in physics, optics and astronomy.

A. Labeyrie (Author), S. G. Lipson (Author), P. Nisenson (Author)

9780521828727, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 June 2006

360 pages
25.3 x 17.9 x 2.1 cm, 0.87 kg

'… wide-ranging, covering both qualitative and quantitative introductions to interferometry and aperture synthesis at optical wavelengths, as well as expositions of parallel areas of interest … the presentation is excellent and the authors deploy rough order-of-magnitude calculations and physical arguments in amongst the text to very good effect. … this volume fills a gap that has for a long time been problematic.' The Observatory

During the last two decades, optical stellar interferometry has become an important tool in astronomical investigations requiring spatial resolution well beyond that of traditional telescopes. This book, first published in 2006, was the first to be written on the subject. The authors provide an extended introduction discussing basic physical and atmospheric optics, which establishes the framework necessary to present the ideas and practice of interferometry as applied to the astronomical scene. They follow with an overview of historical, operational and planned interferometric observatories, and a selection of important astrophysical discoveries made with them. Finally, they present some as-yet untested ideas for instruments both on the ground and in space which may allow us to image details of planetary systems beyond our own.

1. Introduction
2. Basic concepts: a qualitative introduction
3. Interference, diffraction and coherence
4. Aperture synthesis
5. Optical effects of the atmosphere
6. Single-aperture techniques
7. Intensity interferometry
8. Amplitude interferometry: techniques and instruments
9. The hypertelescope
10. Nulling and coronagraphy
11. A sampling of interferometric science
12. Future ground and space projects
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Optical physics [PHJ], Astronomy, space & time [PG]