Optical Architecture

Optics are used in various types of instruments, such as altimeters, gyrometers, systems for optical telecommunications or metrology, atomic clocks in the case of service equipment, or equipment intended for observations and measurements in scientific experiments. This chapter is therefore devoted to instruments that use electromagnetic waves to probe the environment under study. The interpretation of light phenomena observed as a result of the interaction of the Sun, a natural source of light, with matter led to the theory of geometric optics. The design of instruments for observing light phenomena is based on the laws of geometric optics. Before reaching the light detectors, the light beam must pass through apertures, which limits the optical range of the instrument. Observation and scientific missions rely mainly on optical architectures. An artificial satellite is an ideal observatory because it is not subject to the day/night cycle like ground-based observation instruments, nor to atmospheric effects.