Research on Minimum Resolvable Contrast of the Telescope

Abstract

At present, the research on the minimum resolvable contrast is limited to the simple imaging system, or the imaging devices, and mainly limited to the method of measurement in the laboratory, the research on minimum resolvable contrast of the telescope has not developed. Based on the imaging process of the telescope and the detecting SNR, noise equivalent contrast is put forward, then combined with the system MTF, the model on minimum resolvable contrast of the telescope is build. At last, the model is simulated on the computer, the simulation results indicated that the minimum resolvable contrast can evaluate the telescope ability more comprehensive, the atmosphere, the aberration and the motion can affect the ability seriously. The model can give a scientific basis for the optimization design of the system and the development of practical work.