Nulling interferometry
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nulling interference pattern, Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech
Nulling interferometry is a type of interferometry in which two or more signals are mixed to produce observational regions in which the incoming signals cancel themselves out. This creates a set of virtual "blind spots" which prevent unwanted signals from those areas from interfering with other, possibly much weaker signals that are nearby.
This technique is used by SIM, and is being considered for use by the Terrestrial Planet Finder, both NASA missions. Also the ESA Darwin mission is considering the use of it. It is being used on the Keck Interferometer.
This technique is similar to a coronagraph but uses multiple sources rather than a physical obstacle to block out the unwanted signals.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
 |
This optics-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
