Wide-Field Imaging of ALMA with ACA - Imaging Simulations Abstract
Return to Memo list
ALMA MEMO #488
Wide-Field Imaging of ALMA with the Atacama Compact Array:
Imaging Simulations
Takahiro Tsutsumi(NAOJ), Koh-Ichiro
Morita(NAOJ),
Tetsuo Hasegawa(NAOJ), Jerome Pety(IRAM/Obs. de Paris)
2004-03-22
We examined the significance of the Atacama Compact Array (ACA) in wide-field imaging of ALMA through imaging simulations. The purpose of the simulations are to :
i) demonstrate importance of ACA in wide-field imaging with ALMA and ii) identify which component of errors has more significant influence than others on quality of final images obtained with ALMA+ACA using realistic parameters as to give feedback on designing and specifications of the ACA system. We particularly focused on the following aspects: difference on the ACA configuration design and effects of pointing errors, amplitude errors, and atmospheric phase errors. The simulations indicate that how densely packed the ACA configuration is an important factor for good imaging performance. The pointing errors at submm waves seriously degrade fidelity of an image. The atmospheric phase fluctuation also plays a major role. As indicated by previous works, our study indicates that ACA can boost the quality of wide-field imaging with ALMA by a factor of two or more for many cases, while dependency on structures of model images exists. In presence of all the errors, the projected goal of the imaging fidelity of 20 or better for ALMA when ACA is included, can be achieved if the current specifications are met.
ALMA Memo 488 has been revised as of May 11, 2004.
This memo has been revised to correct the tables and figures in Section 4.2.
These changes do not affect the conclusions of the memo.
To view or downloaded the revised version, please use the following link:
View a pdf version of ALMA Memo #488.1.
Original version of the document is available through the following link:
View a pdf version of ALMA Memo #488.
