Work

PSFSim: PhySics First Simulations for the Point Spread Function of the Roman Space Telescope

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: We present a new tool for generating simulated point spread functions (PSFs) in the Wide Field Instrument (WFI) of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The simulation tool is physics forward, and performs a raytrace of the optical system of the instrument to compute the PSF, while also accounting for various detector effects. The tool also has the capability to add perturbations to the optical system and detectors. We explore several applications of the tool that may arise during the commissioning of the telescope, including optical ghosts, measuring the optical aberrations from diffraction spikes, and studying the effect of mirror polarization.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2609.28821

Authors: Dalal, Nihar, Hirata, Chris, Shiveshwarkar, Charuhas, Torres, Anthony Harbo, To, Chun-Hao, Moore, Elise, Laliotis, Katherine, Kuhtenia, David, Macbeth, Emily

Language: English

Topic: Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

OpenAlex ID: W7214374993

Cites: 32

Cited by:

Related to: 10