Sub-pixel Dithers

Sub-pixel dither patterns (SUB) introduce small, sub-pixel offsets between exposures to improve spatial sampling and PSF reconstruction. These patterns do not require large telescope slews.


Sub-pixel dither patterns (SUB) are small-scale offsets that do not require guide star re-acquisition. They are designed to improve sub-pixel sampling and point-spread function (PSF) reconstruction. The Roman WFI sub-pixel dithers are based on the JWST/NIRCam small-grid patterns, re-scaled to the WFI plate scale of 0.11 arcsec/pixel, and further refined using the Roman geometric distortion model. This new distortion-aware approach improves pixel-phase coherence across the focal plane.

The positions for the eight SUB dither patterns are shown in the Figures of Sub-pixel Dither Patterns. 

Updates Anticiapted

The sub-pixel dither patterns are being revised. This article will be updated as soon as more details about the sub-pixel dither patterns are determined. 

More information about how Gap-filling and Sub-pixel dither patterns are used in APT is available on the Roman Help Desk in a Knowledge Base article: Simultaneous usage of WFI Gap Filling (BOXGAP/LINEGAP) & Sub-Pixel (SUB) dithers in APT.




Figures of Sub-pixel Dither Patterns

Below are Roman WFI sub-pixel (SUB) dither patterns, optimized using the WFI distortion model with 10×10 global tie points. Eight different sub-pixel dither patterns are available. The list of sub-pixel dither patterns is provided below:


Changes to the technical details and other specifications presented here are expected as a part of commissioning and early operations. This includes modifications to the Dither patterns. 


Figure of SUB2

Visualization of the SUB2 sub-pixel dither pattern. Each point represents a subpixel target offset in arcseconds, with gray arrows indicating the chronological order of exposures within a dither pattern. The optimized sequence improves pixel-phase coverage and uniformity across the focal plane. 


Figure of SUB3

Visualization of the SUB3 sub-pixel dither pattern. Each point represents a subpixel target offset in arcseconds, with gray arrows indicating the chronological order of exposures within a dither pattern. The optimized sequence improves pixel-phase coverage and uniformity across the focal plane. 

Figure of SUB4

Visualization of the SUB4 sub-pixel dither pattern. Each point represents a subpixel target offset in arcseconds, with gray arrows indicating the chronological order of exposures within a dither pattern. The optimized sequence improves pixel-phase coverage and uniformity across the focal plane. 

Figure of SUB5

Visualization of the SUB5 sub-pixel dither pattern. Each point represents a subpixel target offset in arcseconds, with gray arrows indicating the chronological order of exposures within a dither pattern. The optimized sequence improves pixel-phase coverage and uniformity across the focal plane. 

Figure of SUB6

Visualization of the SUB6 sub-pixel dither pattern. Each point represents a subpixel target offset in arcseconds, with gray arrows indicating the chronological order of exposures within a dither pattern. The optimized sequence improves pixel-phase coverage and uniformity across the focal plane. 

Figure of SUB7

Visualization of the SUB7 sub-pixel dither pattern. Each point represents a subpixel target offset in arcseconds, with gray arrows indicating the chronological order of exposures within a dither pattern. The optimized sequence improves pixel-phase coverage and uniformity across the focal plane. 

Figure of SUB8

Visualization of the SUB8 sub-pixel dither pattern. Each point represents a subpixel target offset in arcseconds, with gray arrows indicating the chronological order of exposures within a dither pattern. The optimized sequence improves pixel-phase coverage and uniformity across the focal plane. 

Figure of SUB9

Visualization of the SUB9 sub-pixel dither pattern. Each point represents a subpixel target offset in arcseconds, with gray arrows indicating the chronological order of exposures within a dither pattern. The optimized sequence improves pixel-phase coverage and uniformity across the focal plane. 





For additional questions not answered in this article, please contact the Roman Help Desk.




Latest Update

 

Updated for accuracy and clarity
Publication

 

Initial publication of the article.