EVLA Memo: #139 Plan for Imaging Algorithm Research and Development

Many scientific deliverables of the next generation radio telescopes require widefield imaging or high dynamic range imaging, or both. Some next generation telescopes nearing completion (EVLA and ALMA) indeed promise at least a ten-fold increase in the sensitivity compared to the existing telescopes. High imaging dynamic range requires removal of systematic errors to high accuracy and for long integration intervals. In general, many source of errors are directionally dependent and unless corrected for, will be a limiting factor for the imaging dynamic range of these next generation telescopes. This requires development of new algorithms and software for calibration and imaging which can correct for such direction and time dependent effects. This memo discusses a plan for research in imaging and calibration algorithms. The resulting high performance computing needs and a plan for the required work is not discussed in this memo. In terms of imaging sensitivity and data rates, EVLA and ALMA are important milestones and a significant step towards SKA. Research on developing techniques for high dynamic range imaging with the EVLA and ALMA will therefore provide the earliest and most practical input for design constraints on the SKA and will be a significant contribution to the international SKA efforts.