Iterative algorithm for subaperture stitching test with spherical interferometers.

Recently we have proposed an iterative algorithm for subaperture stitching interferometry. It was referred to as the subaperture stitching and localization (SASL) algorithm. The limitation of the algorithm is that three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates are required, whereas the standard spherical interferometer can read out only the phase differences on the pixels. On the basis of the SASL algorithm, we propose an iterative algorithm for a spherical subaperture stitching test. It deals with data directly from the spherical interferometer. Unknown radii of best-fit spheres for a null test of subapertures are included in the optimization variables. The developed algorithm inherits the advantages of the SASL algorithm.