Systematic Errors in Measurements of the Optical-Ranging Characteristics of Small Objects with Nonlocal Coherent Reflection

Abstract

Adjustments in the phase structure of optical radiation reflected from a small object with nonlocal coherent reflection and detected by an objective with spherical aberration are examined. The conditions for the appearance of peripheral “bright zones” within the limits of the objective aperture are determined and their contribution to the formation of the reflected signal in a path of finite length is estimated. The systematic errors in measuring the effective scattering area of the central “bright zone” and the line density of the effective scattering area of the peripheral “bright zone” are estimated.