Resolution of Gaussian Images on a Photoelectrically Emissive Surface

Error probabilities are calculated for two detectors deciding which of two Gaussian images is present on the basis of the numbers and origins of photoelectrons ejected from the image plane. One detector is the optimum likelihood-ratio detector; the other compares the numbers of electrons from the two halves of the image plane. The results show that the performance of the former is better, although the latter is much easier to operate.