Dr. Henrique H. R. Schmitt Profile

Dr. Henrique H. R. Schmitt

Astronomer at US Naval Research Lab

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Publications (60)

Proceedings Article | 26 August 2022 Presentation + Paper

Automation upgrades at the navy precision optical interferometer

Anders Jorgensen, Khristian Jones, David Noble, James Clark, Henrique Schmitt, Gerard van Belle

Proceedings Volume 12183, 121830O (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630129

KEYWORDS: Switches, Control systems, Safety, Precision optics, Interferometers, Analog electronics, Computer programming, Stepper motor drivers, Logic, Power supplies

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Proceedings Article | 26 August 2022 Poster + Paper

How much Is enough? Using the NPOI archive to characterize stellar diameter measurements

Gerard van Belle, Ellyn Baines, Henrique Schmitt, J. Thomas Armstrong

Proceedings Volume 12183, 121832B (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630163

KEYWORDS: Stars, Interferometers, Data archive systems, Analytical research

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Proceedings Article | 26 August 2022 Presentation + Paper

The Navy Precision Optical Interferometer: large-aperture observations and infrastructure improvements

Gerard van Belle, James Clark, Henrique Schmitt, David Noble, Anders Jorgensen, David Mozurkewich, J. Thomas Armstrong, Ellyn Baines, Ty Martinez, Sergio Restaino, Thomas Coleman, Ben Hardesty, Wyatt Clark, Khristian Jones, Bradley Kingsley, Nicholas Green, Peter Kurtz, Jordan Stone, Merrick DeWitt, Erin Maier, Solvay Blomquist

Proceedings Volume 12183, 1218304 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630572

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Interferometers, Observatories, Adaptive optics, Mirrors, Precision optics, Interferometry, Control systems, Stars

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Proceedings Article | 13 December 2020 Presentation + Paper

The Navy Precision Optical Interferometer: two years of development towards large-aperture observations

Gerard van Belle, James Clark, J. Thomas Armstrong, Ellyn Baines, Sergio Restaino, Henrique Schmitt, Anders Jorgensen, David Mozurkewich, Ty Martinez, Bradley Kingsley, Nicholas Green, Adam Schilperoort, Teznie Pugh, Khristian Jones, Wyatt Clark, Peter Kurtz

Proceedings Volume 11446, 1144608 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2562806

KEYWORDS: Precision optics, Interferometers, Telescopes, Imaging systems, Electron multiplying charge coupled devices, Cameras, Image processing, Interferometry, Image restoration, Adaptive optics

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Proceedings Article | 20 August 2020 Presentation + Paper

A multi-synchronous architecture to control an array of networked siderostats or telescopes at the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer

Henrique Schmitt, Adam Schilperoort, Peter Kurtz, James Clark

Proceedings Volume 11502, 115020C (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2568147

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Human-machine interfaces, Control systems, Actuators, Switches, Computer architecture, Telescopes, Stars, Interferometers, Feedback loops

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Proceedings Article | 20 August 2020 Presentation + Paper

An approach to upgrading the beam transport system at the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer

James Clark, F. Ernesto Penado, Sergio Restaino, Henrique Schmitt

Proceedings Volume 11488, 1148804 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2567933

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Wavefronts, Telescopes, Interferometers, Relays, Precision optics, Imaging systems, Light emitting diodes

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Proceedings Article | 10 July 2018 Presentation + Paper

Investigating global instrumental response for the JVLA low band ionosphere and transient experiment (VLITE)

Tracy Clarke, Simona Giacintucci, Wendy Peters, Henrique Schmitt

Proceedings Volume 10704, 107040I (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312383

KEYWORDS: Antennas, Calibration, Receivers, Polarization, Electromagnetic coupling, Radio astronomy, Analytical research, Signal to noise ratio, Radio interferometry, Standards development

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Proceedings Article | 9 July 2018 Presentation + Paper

An infrared beam combiner for wavelength bootstrapping at the NPOI

J. Thomas Armstrong, Henrique Schmitt, Sergio Restaino, Gerard van Belle, Ellyn Baines

Proceedings Volume 10701, 107010B (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312284

KEYWORDS: Infrared radiation, Observatories, Interferometers, Analytical research, Near infrared, Image resolution

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Proceedings Article | 9 July 2018 Presentation + Paper

Many interesting things are afoot at the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer

G. van Belle, J. Armstrong, J. Benson, E. Baines, J. Clark, R. Hindsley, S. Restaino, H. Schmitt, A. Lindgren, S. Pooler, R. Zavala, T. Buschmann, A. Jorgensen, D. Mozurkewich, J. Hall, P. Shankland, R. Bevilacqua, W. DeGroff, M. Muterspaugh

Proceedings Volume 10701, 1070105 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2314204

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Interferometers, Mirrors, Electron multiplying charge coupled devices, Observatories, Avalanche photodetectors, Precision optics, Interferometry, Beam splitters

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Proceedings Article | 9 July 2018 Paper

Detecting exoplanets and characterizing their properties with fringe nulling

Henrique Schmitt, Ellyn Baines, J. Thomas Armstrong, Sergio Restaino

Proceedings Volume 10701, 107012I (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312088

KEYWORDS: Stars, Exoplanets, Interferometry, Ultraviolet radiation, Interferometers, Calibration, Precision optics, Target detection, Phase interferometry, Signal to noise ratio

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Proceedings Article | 9 July 2018 Paper

The fundamentals: angular diameter measurements of zero-crossing stars from the NPOI

Ellyn Baines, J. Thomas Armstrong, Henrique Schmitt, R. T. Zavala, James Benson, Fabien Baron

Proceedings Volume 10701, 107012D (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312603

KEYWORDS: Stars, Interferometry

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Proceedings Article | 2 May 2018 Presentation + Paper

Multi-band optical photometry of geosynchronous satellites

Henrique Schmitt

Proceedings Volume 10641, 1064104 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2305276

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Earth observing sensors, Photometry, Reflectivity, Interferometers, Satellite navigation systems, Satellite imaging, Telescopes

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Proceedings Article | 5 May 2017 Presentation + Paper

Detecting faint nearby companions to geostationary satellites with optical interferometry

Henrique Schmitt, Sergio Restaino, J. Thomas Armstrong, Ellyn Baines

Proceedings Volume 10196, 1019602 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2262900

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Optical interferometry, Interferometry, Interferometers, Surveillance, Situational awareness sensors, Space operations, Spatial frequencies, Earth observing sensors, Device simulation, Stars, Telescopes, Target detection, Astrophysics, Phase interferometry

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Proceedings Article | 19 August 2016 Paper

The Navy Precision Optical Interferometer: an update

Ellyn Baines, Henrique Schmitt, Sergio Restaino, James Clark, James Benson, Robert Zavala, J. Armstrong, Donald Hutter, Gerard van Belle

Proceedings Volume 9907, 990702 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2235077

KEYWORDS: Precision optics, Interferometers, Stars, Control systems, Telescopes, Observatories, Mirrors, Electronics, Interferometry, Cameras

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Proceedings Article | 4 August 2016 Paper

Multi-baseline chain bootstrapping with new classic at the NPOI

A. Jorgensen, D. Mozurkewich, J. T. Armstrong, H. Schmitt, E. Baines, G. van Belle

Proceedings Volume 9907, 99072C (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2234389

KEYWORDS: Interferometers, Precision optics, Visibility, Spectrographs, Stars, Telescopes, Signal to noise ratio, Spatial frequencies, Analytical research, Observatories

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Proceedings Article | 4 August 2016 Paper

Monitoring a decade of seeing at the NPOI site with quad cell measurements

Henrique Schmitt, J. Thomas Armstrong, Sergio Restaino, Gerard van Belle

Proceedings Volume 9907, 99071X (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2233088

KEYWORDS: Atmospheric corrections, Atmospheric turbulence, Telescopes, Stars, Atmospheric optics, Observatories, Precision optics, Interferometers, Fourier transforms, Optical tracking

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Proceedings Article | 4 August 2016 Paper

Observing the PTPS sample of evolved exoplanet host candidates using the NPOI

Ellyn Baines, Andrzej Niedzielski, Aleksander Wolszczan, R. T. Zavala, James Benson, J. Thomas Armstrong, Henrique Schmitt, Pawel Zielinski, Martin Vanko

Proceedings Volume 9907, 99073T (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2233159

KEYWORDS: Stars, Exoplanets, Planets, Interferometers, Spectroscopy, Interferometry, Calibration, Visibility, Observatories, Analytical research

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Proceedings Article | 4 August 2016 Paper

The new classic instrument for the navy precision optical interferometer

A. Jorgensen, J. T. Armstrong, R. Hindsley, H. Schmitt, E. Baines, D. Mozurkewich, G. van Belle

Proceedings Volume 9907, 990725 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2232682

KEYWORDS: Precision optics, Interferometers, Computing systems, Electronics, Human-machine interfaces, Signal to noise ratio, Telescopes, Ultraviolet radiation, Stars, Spectrographs

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Proceedings Article | 17 May 2016 Paper

Using optical interferometry for GEO satellites imaging: an update

Sergio Restaino, J. Thomas Armstrong, Ellyn Baines, Henrique Schmitt, James Clark

Proceedings Volume 9836, 983603 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2224750

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Interferometers, Spectrographs, Optical interferometry, Satellite imaging, Space telescopes, Modulation, Stars, Telescopes, Sun

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Proceedings Article | 4 September 2015 Paper

Multiple-baseline detection of a geostationary satellite with the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer

J. Armstrong, Ellyn Baines, Henrique Schmitt, Sergio Restaino, James Clark, James Benson, Donald Hutter, Robert Zavala

Proceedings Volume 9617, 961709 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2194156

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Interferometers, Satellite navigation systems, Precision optics, Spectrographs, Stars, Space telescopes, Modulation, Observatories, Sun

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Proceedings Article | 18 August 2014 Paper

Adding baselines at the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer

Jonathan Andrews, Jim Clark, Sergio Restaino, J. Tom Armstrong, Henrique Schmitt, Donald Hutter, James Benson, Bob Zavala, Ellyn Baines

Proceedings Volume 9204, 92040H (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2062616

KEYWORDS: Interferometers, Mirrors, Precision optics, Astronomy, Telescopes, Astronomical imaging, Astronomical telescopes, Optical alignment, Observatories, Cameras

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Proceedings Article | 24 July 2014 Paper

The new classic data acquisition system for NPOI

B. Sun, A. Jorgensen, David Mozurkewich, H. Schmitt, J. Armstrong, E. Baines, S. Restaino, D. Hutter, G. van Belle, M. Landavazo

Proceedings Volume 9146, 914620 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2057013

KEYWORDS: Data acquisition, Field programmable gate arrays, Photons, Imaging systems, Spectrographs, Computing systems, Observatories, Clocks, Detection and tracking algorithms, Analytical research

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Proceedings Article | 24 July 2014 Paper

Multi-baseline bootstrapping at the Navy precision optical interferometer

J. Armstrong, H. Schmitt, E. Baines, J. Benson, Robert Zavala, D. Hutter, A. Jorgensen, M. Muterspaugh, D. Mozurkewich

Proceedings Volume 9146, 91460K (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2055209

KEYWORDS: Signal to noise ratio, Stars, Precision optics, Interferometers, Observatories, Chemical elements, Ocean optics, Interferometry, Sensors, Electronics

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Proceedings Article | 24 July 2014 Paper

Design and implementation of the NPOI database and website

K. Newman, A. Jorgensen, David Mozurkewich, G. van Belle, D. Hutter, H. Schmitt, J. Armstrong, E. Baines, B. Sun, M. Landavazo, N. Elias

Proceedings Volume 9146, 914630 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2057186

KEYWORDS: Databases, Stars, Interfaces, Precision optics, Interferometers, Binary data, Observatories, Analytical research, Astronomical imaging, Astronomy

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Proceedings Article | 24 July 2014 Paper

Photometric calibration of NPOI visibilities

Henrique Schmitt, David Mozurkewich, J. Thomas Armstrong, Anders Jorgensen, Ellyn Baines

Proceedings Volume 9146, 91462Q (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2057197

KEYWORDS: Calibration, Visibility, Telescopes, Stars, Interferometers, Beam splitters, Precision optics, Interferometry, Spectrographs, Solids

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Proceedings Article | 24 July 2014 Paper

6-station, 5-baseline fringe tracking with the new classic data acquisition system at the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer

M. Landavazo, A. Jorgensen, David Mozurkewich, Donald Hutter, G. van Belle, B. Sun, K. Newman, H. Schmitt, J. Armstrong, E. Baines, S. Restaino

Proceedings Volume 9146, 914621 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2057278

KEYWORDS: Signal to noise ratio, Data acquisition, Interferometers, Precision optics, Spectrographs, Detection and tracking algorithms, Optical tracking, Image resolution, Imaging systems, Stars

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The Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI) has a station layout which makes it uniquely suited for imaging. Stellar surface imaging requires a variety of baseline lengths and in particular long baselines with resolution much smaller than the diameter of the target star. Because the fringe signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is generally low on such long baselines, fringe-tracking cannot be carried out on those baselines directly. Instead, baseline bootstrapping must be employed in which the long baseline is composed of a number of connected shorter baselines. When fringes are tracked on all the shorter baselines fringes are also present on the long baseline. For compact sources, such as stellar disks, the shorter baselines generally have higher SNR and making them short enough that the source is unresolved by them is ideal. Thus, the resolution, or number of pixels across a stellar disk, is roughly equal to the ratio of the length of the long baseline to the length of the short baselines. The more bootstrapped baselines, the better the images produced. If there is also a wide wavelength coverage, wavelength bootstrapping can also be used under some circumstances to increase the resolution further. The NPOI is unique in that it allows 6-station, 5-baseline bootstrapping, the most of any currently operating interferometer. Furthermore, the NPOI Classic beam combiner has wavelength coverage from 450 nm to 850 nm. However, until now, this capability has not been fully exploited. The stellar surface imaging project which was recently funded by the National Science Foundation is exploiting this capability. The New Classic data acquisition system, reported separately, is the hardware which delivers the data to the fringe-tracking algorithm. In this paper we report on the development of the fringe-tracking capability with the New Classic data acquisition system. We discuss the design of the fringe tracking algorithm and present performance results from simulations and on sky observation.

Proceedings Article | 24 July 2014 Paper

Testing limb darkening laws using NPOI observations

Ellyn Baines, J. Thomas Armstrong, Henrique Schmitt, James Benson, Donald Hutter, R. Zavala

Proceedings Volume 9146, 91460W (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2055130

KEYWORDS: Stars, Calibration, Visibility, Interferometry, Interferometers, Data modeling, Fourier transforms, Observatories, Spatial frequencies, Analytical research

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Proceedings Article | 24 July 2014 Paper

Progress toward unprecedented imaging of stellar surfaces with the Navy precision optical interferometer

S. Restaino, A. Jorgensen, D. Mozurkewich, H. Schmitt, G. van Belle, D. Hutter, J. Armstrong, E. Baines, K. Newman, M. Landavazo, B. Sun, J. Clark

Proceedings Volume 9146, 91460A (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2055789

KEYWORDS: Visibility, Stars, Telescopes, Interferometers, Data acquisition, Image resolution, Signal to noise ratio, Spectrographs, Precision optics, Imaging arrays

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We present progress on the stellar surface imaging project recently funded by the U. S. National Science Foun- dation. With the unique layout of the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI) in combination with data acquisition and fringe-tracking upgrades we expect to be able to substantially exceed the imaging fidelity and resolution of any other interferometer in operation. The project combines several existing advances and infras- tructure at NPOI with modest enhancements. For optimal imaging there are several requirements that should be fulfilled. The observatory should be capable of measuring visibilities on a wide range of baseline lengths and orientations, providing complete Fourier (UV) coverage in a short period of time. It should measure visibility amplitudes with good SNR on all baselines as critical imaging information is often contained in low-amplitude visibilities. It should measure the visibility phase on all baselines. The technologies which can achieve this are the NPOI Y-shaped array with (nearly) equal spacing between telescopes and an ability for rapid configuration. Placing 6-telescopes in a row makes it possible to measure visibilities into the 4th lobe of the visibility function. By arranging the 12 available telescopes carefully we can switch, every few days, between 6 different 6-station chains which provide symmetric coverage in the Fourier plane without moving any telescopes, only by moving beam relay mirrors. The 6-station chains are important to achieve the highest imaging resolution, and switching rapidly between station chains provides uniform coverage. Coherent integration techniques can be used to obtain good SNR on very small visibilities. Coherently integrated visibilities can be used for imaging with standard radio imaging packages such as AIPS. The commissioning of one additional station, the use of new data acqui- sition hardware and fringe tracking algorithms are the enhancements which are making this project a reality. The New Classic data acquisition system, based on a powerful Stratix FPGA and fast Direct Memory Access module, upgrades the existing Classic beam combiner to allow for continuous data recording across all baselines available with 6 telescopes. It also provides the computing power and software environment necessary for im- plementing the 6-station, 5-baseline fringe-tracking algorithms. In separate papers we discuss the New Classic data acquisition system and the fringe-tracking algorithms in greater detail. In this paper we will focus on an overview of the project. We will describe the observation planning, logistics of the observations, and discuss the current status of the project including preliminary results and simulations of expected future results.

SPIE Journal Paper | 3 June 2013 Open Access

Small glints as an aid for imaging geosats using an optical Michelson interferometer

Robert Hindsley, John Armstrong, Henrique Schmitt, Ellyn Baines

JARS, Vol. 7, Issue 01, 073549, (June 2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JRS.7.073549

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Interferometers, Michelson interferometers, Telescopes, Satellite imaging, Sun, Photometry, Ocean optics, Earth observing sensors, Interferometry

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