Sparse aperture masking technique on measurement of star diameter

Abstract

Sparse aperture masking technique is based on principle of optical interference, it has high spatial resolution and is especially suitable for star diameter detection. It transforms telescope into a Fizeau interferometer by a simple action of placing an aperture mask over the pupil plane. In this paper, we explain its principle, simulate whole process on computer and develop our data processing method. Finally, we design a simple optical system in laboratory for experimental verification, in which stellar source is reproduced by a pinhole illuminated by a laser, choosing four sub-aperture mask on pupil plane, by measurement of interferogram visibility, we successfully acquire star diameter.