基于干涉成像理论介绍了合成孔径成像技术原理。分别从成像过程、成像特性、视场大小、适用范围等方面对迈克尔逊型和菲索型两种合成孔径成像系统做了对比,重点介绍了这两种类型合成孔径望远镜在地基系统和天基系统上的应用、发展现状及发展趋势,指出迈克尔逊型合成孔径望远镜将会向着长基线、复杂基线结构的方向发展,而菲索型合成孔径望远镜则会向着复杂孔径排列结构的方向发展,以组成等效孔径为其子孔径几倍甚至几十倍的系统。与传统光学系统相比,合成孔径系统具有分辨力高、镜面加工难度小、易折叠、重量轻等特点,是实现高分辨力光学成像的一种有效途径,幸运成像、分布发射与在轨装配、无支撑薄膜望远镜等各种新技术都可以引用到合成孔径技术中来。

On the basis of the theory of interferometric imaging,this paper introduces the theory of optical synthetic aperture imaging technique. Then,two types of synthetic aperture imaging systems,Michelson interferometry and Fizeau interferometry,are compared in imaging processes,imaging characteristics,sizes of visual field and the scopes of application,and the present situation and developing trends of both Michelson and Fizeau synthetic aperture telescopic systems for ground-based and space-based are described. It points out that the development of the former will focus on the long and complex base line structures and the latter will emphasize the complex apeature arragement to form a equivalent aperture that is several times or tens times that of original one. Compared to traditional optical systems,the optical synthetic aperture system is characterized by its high resolving powers,small mass and costs and easy to be folded,so it is a useful approach to higher resolving powers. Finally,it is proposed that several kinds of new techniques such as lucky imaging,launching by module and assembly in an orbit,unsupported membranes can be also introduced into the synthetic aperture imaging technique.