The number of `CLEAN' subtractions 
and the loop gain
determine how deep the `CLEAN' goes. In particular, for a
point source the residual left on the dirty image is
. Hence, to minimize the number of `CLEAN'
subtractions (and so to minimize the CPU time) should be
unity; one then finds, however, that extended structure is not well
represented in the corresponding `CLEAN' image. In typical VLA
applications a reasonable compromise lies in the range 0.1 
0.25. (Note that this dependence of the `CLEAN' image on
the loop gain demonstrates the multiplicity of solutions to the
convolution equation.) Lower loop gains may be required if the
u,v coverage is poor, but the improvements in deconvolution for
0.01 are generally minimal. If in any doubt, then
it is wise to experiment (e.g., by decreasing and increasing
). One exception to the use of low loop gain is in the
removal of confusing sources; it is preferable to remove them with
high loop gain, as their structure is usually not of interest.
The choice of the number of iterations depends upon the amount of real
emission in the dirty image. One should aim at transferring all
brightness greater than the noise level to `CLEAN' components (some
implementations of `CLEAN' allow one to specify a lower intensity
limit to the components instead of ). `CLEAN'ing deep into
the noise is usually a waste of time unless you specifically wish to
analyze the extended, low surface-brightness emission (but see
the `CLEAN' beam).
Examination of the list of `CLEAN' components, and, in particular, of the behavior of the accumulated intensity in the model, is useful in detecting divergence; sometimes the accumulated intensity diverges. As discussed above, divergence of the Högbom `CLEAN' is always due to a computational problem. Possible culprits are the gridding process, aliasing, and finite precision arithmetic. In the case of the Clark or the Cotton-Schwab algorithms, the truncated dirty beam patch that is used in the minor cycles of these algorithms must violate Schwarz's conditions. Therefore both may be subject to instability or divergence if the minor cycle is prolonged unduly.
1996 November 4
10:52:31 EST