Coronagraphic Exploration Camera (CorECam)

The CorECam Instrument Concept Study (ICS) addressed the requirements and science program for the Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph's (TPF-C) primary camera. CorECam provides a simple interface to TPF-C's Starlight Suppression System (SSS) which would be provided by the TPF-C Program, and comprises camera modules providing visible, and near-infrared (NIR) camera focal plane imaging. In its primary operating mode, CorECam will conduct the core science program of TPF-C, detecting terrestrial planets at visible wavelengths. CorECam additionally provides the imaging capabilities to characterize terrestrial planets, and conduct an extended science program focused on investigating the nature of the exosolar systems in which terrestrial planets are detected. In order to evaluate the performance of CorECam we developed a comprehensive, end-to-end model using OSCAR which has provided a number of key conclusions on the robustness of the TPF-C baseline design, and allows investigation of alternative techniques for wavefront sensing and control. CorECam recommends photon counting detectors be baselined for imaging with TPF-C since they provide mitigations against the background radiation environment, improved sensitivity and facilitate alternative WFSC approaches.