Radio-astronomy precedent for optical interferometer imaging

Radio-astronomical correlator arrays have demonstrated the ability of producing images of cosmic radio sources with extremely high resolution, dynamic range, and precision. A large body of experience and theory has been developed in connection with this technology that may form useful precedents for the development of similar technology in the optical and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The production of images of sources from measurements of their mutual coherence functions is demonstrated, and the capabilities and limitations of the technique are discussed. A prototype optical instrument is proposed, and its advantages and liabilities are identified.