The Imaging Characteristics of an Array with Minimum Side Lobes

Di erent con gurations have been o ered ([2],[3], [4])), using the method of optimization of an array con guration minimizing side lobes ([1]). It is supposed that the lower the level of side lobes the better restored image should be. This memo demonstrates the advantage of minimum side lobes in the quality of the restored images. The UV data were simulated (with the new AIPS task UVCON) for two arrays: optimum (by minimum side lobes) and not optimum with the same number of elements (36). The most compact con guration (D) has been considered. The simulation was made for three classes of model: 1. Several close compact components; 2. Many wide spread out compact components; and 3. One expanded complex component (CAS-A). The di erent noise was added at simulation. The images were restored from the simulated UV data by AIPS task IMAGR. The restored images for optimum and not optimum con guration for di erent added noise are shown. In all cases the optimum con guration gives better image delity. The simulation should be continued for other con gurations (A, B, C) with the number of the array elements equal 48 corresponding the combined MMA/LSA project.