High-image-quality Mersenne-Schmidt system and its comparison with classical Schmidt camera

Jingquan Cheng; Ming Liang

doi:10.1117/12.19274

1 July 1990 High-image-quality Mersenne-Schmidt system and its comparison with classical Schmidt camera

Jingquan Cheng, Ming Liang

Proceedings Volume 1236, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes IV; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19274
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation for the 21st Century, 1990, Tucson, AZ, United States

Abstract

Recently, design examples of wide field three mirror Mersenne-Schmidt system had been presented by R.V. Willstrop. The work presented in this paper is an extension of Willstrop's early work. By applying overall system optimization, the maximum image size within a 4-degree field of a well-designed Mersenne-Schmidt system can be as small as 0.16 arc sec. If small edge vignetting is allowed, within a five-degree wider field of view, the maximum image size of the Mersenne-Schmidt system would be as small as 0.34 arc sec. In the second part of this paper, the Mersenne-Schmidt telescope is discussed in comparison with a Schmidt camera. Discussion shows that both systems can achieve a wider field of view. However, from astronomical requirements, the Mersenne-Schmidt telescope has better image quality, wider waveband coverage, greater light power, shorter tube length and larger usage area of the primary mirror. For a light collecting area larger than that of existing ones, the Mersenne-Schmidt telescope would be a better choice for astronomical frontier work.

Citation Download Citation

Jingquan Cheng and Ming Liang "High-image-quality Mersenne-Schmidt system and its comparison with classical Schmidt camera", Proc. SPIE 1236, Advanced Technology Optical Telescopes IV, (1 July 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.19274

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available