Advanced Gain Calibration Techniques in Radio Interferometry
arXiv:1805.05266
Abstract
In this lecture, we describe a number of advanced gain calibration techniques. In particular, self-calibration is an important tool in interferometric imaging at all wavelengths. It allows the observer to determine and remove residual phase and amplitude errors that remain in the data after normal calibration while simultaneously producing a more accurate and more sensitive image of the target source. We describe the basic technique of self-calibration and attempt to dispel some common misconceptions. We proceed to give a range of useful tips, and provide continuum, spectral line, and mosaic self-calibration examples using ALMA data. We also discuss fast switching and radiometric phase correction along with advanced phase transfer techniques that can become advantageous or even essential at high frequency where the density of sufficiently bright phase calibrators becomes sparse.
31 pages, 13 figures, 56 references; to appear in the Proceedings of the 2014 Synthesis Imaging Workshop held in Socorro, NM on May 13-20, 2014
References in corpus (6)
- An Overview of the 2014 ALMA Long Baseline Campaign
- Evaluation of the ALMA Prototype Antennas
- Analysis of antenna position measurements and weather station network data during the ALMA Long Baseline Campaign of 2015
- Dual frequency 230/690 GHz interferometry at the Submillimeter Array
- Design and Implementation of the wvrgcal Program
- Antennas and Receivers in Radio Interferometry