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arXiv · 2511.06936

Mock Observations for the CSST Mission: End-to-End Performance Modeling of Optical System

Zhang Ban·Xiao-Bo Li·Xun Yang·Yu-Xi Jiang·Hong-Cai Ma·Wei Wang·Jin-guang Lv·Cheng-Liang Wei·De-Zi Liu·Guo-Liang Li·Chao Liu·Nan Li·Ran Li·Peng Wei
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Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive end-to-end simulation analysis of the optical imaging performance of the China Survey Space Telescope (CSST) under in-orbit conditions. An integrated system model incorporating five static and two dynamic error sub-models was established. Wavefront errors were calculated for each sub-model and compared to the integrated system error to quantify the individual contributions to image degradation. At the detector level, wavefront error, point spread function (PSF), and ellipticity were evaluated across the full field of view (FOV). The average radius of 80\% encircled energy (REE80) of the PSF under full-error conditions was determined for 25 field points, yielding a value of 0.114 arcseconds. Furthermore, the calculations indicate a correlation between the wavefront distribution and the ellipticity distribution within the optical system. By optimizing the wavefront distribution, it is possible to adjust the ellipticity distribution of the PSF across the full FOV. The end-to-end simulation approach adopted in this paper provides a theoretical foundation for improving the image quality in large-aperture, off-axis space telescopes.

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Zhang Ban, Xiao-Bo Li, Xun Yang, Yu-Xi Jiang, Hong-Cai Ma, Wei Wang, Jin-guang Lv, Cheng-Liang Wei, De-Zi Liu, Guo-Liang Li, Chao Liu, Nan Li, Ran Li, Peng Wei. 2025-11-10. Mock Observations for the CSST Mission: End-to-End Performance Modeling of Optical System. https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.06936

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