Experimental assessment of phase retrieval holography of radiotelescope

Experimental tests of phase retrieval holography using a ground based transmitter and the Misell algorithm have been performed. A comparison with measurements obtained simultaneously using conventional phase coherent holography has revealed systematic differences. These errors constitute missing fine detail in the aperture plane amplitude and phase distribution (30 μm,0.14 rad rms) which are caused by the algorithm ‘locking’ onto a subsiduary error minimum rather than the global minimum. They are the ultimate current limit to the accuracy of phase retrieval holography. The influence of scintillation induced measurement errors are smaller and are comparable with those of classical phase coherent holography.