Photometric imaging with the solar gravitational lens

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the optical properties and imaging capabilities of the solar gravitational lens (SGL), providing models for received power and resolution to aid in direct exoplanet imaging.

Contribution

It develops mathematical expressions for the received electromagnetic power from sources through the SGL, including extended and resolved sources, enhancing understanding of its imaging potential.

Findings

Quantifies the power received from point and extended sources via the SGL

Models the impact of source blur on image pixels

Assesses the SGL's amplification and resolution for exoplanet imaging

Abstract

We discuss the optical properties of the solar gravitational lens (SGL). We estimate the power of the EM field received by an imaging telescope. Studying the behavior of the EM field at the photometric detector, we develop expressions that describe the received power from a point source as well as from an extended resolved source. We model the source as a disk with uniform surface brightness and study the contribution of blur to a particular image pixel. To describe this process, we develop expressions describing the power received from the directly imaged region of the exoplanet, from the rest of the exoplanet and also the power for off-image pointing. We study the SGL's amplification and its angular resolution in the case of observing an extended source with a modest size telescope. The results can be applied to direct imaging of exoplanets using the SGL.