Large-area mapping at 850 microns. I. Optimum image reconstruction from chop measurements

We present results on the optimum reconstruction of chop data taken using t he Submillimeter Common-User Bolometer Array on the James Clerk Maxwell Tel escope. Using an artificial data set with known noise properties, we analyz e three techniques for constructing images of the sky from the chop data: E merson Fourier deconvolution, matrix inversion, and maximum entropy reconst ruction. We conclude that a matrix inversion formulation via an iterative p rocedure produces the best image reconstructions. We apply the three recons truction techniques to produce maps of the calibration point source CRL 618 and the rho Ophiuchi A core at 850 mum and use Wiener filtering to remove the high-frequency noise component from the matrix inversion method.