PIAA coronagraph design: System optimization and first optics testing

Eugene Pluzhnik, Olivier Guyon, Mark Warren, Stephen T. Ridgway, Robert A. Woodruff

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

An optical system capable of extremely high contrast imaging (about 10 -10) at separations comparable to the telescope's diffraction limit is critical for direct imaging of extrasolar terrestrial planets. The PIAA coronagraph (Guyon 2003) based on pupil apodization by geometrical remapping of the flux in the pupil plane seems to be especially adopted for the exoplanet imaging. Although this technique combines many of the advantages found separately in other coronagraphs, two serious concerns remain unanswered: optics manufacturability and effects of diffraction propagation. We describe here a hybrid PIAA/CPA (Classical Pupil Apodization) design in which the apodization is shared between a remapping system (the main apodizer) and "classical" apodizers (auxiliary apodizers). In this scheme, optics become easier to manufacture and diffraction effects can be decreased to a level consistent with a 10-10 PSF contrast in a wide spectral band. We show how the parameters of hybrid PIAA/CPA system can be optimized and present some results of optical testing for the high optical quality prototype of PIAA coronagraph.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation I
Subtitle of host publicationOptical, Infrared, and Millimeter
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes
EventSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation I: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter - Orlando, FL, United States
Duration: May 24 2006May 31 2006

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume6265 II
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Other

OtherSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation I: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando, FL
Period5/24/065/31/06

Keywords

  • Apodization
  • Coronagraphy
  • Diffraction propagation
  • Direct exoplanet imaging
  • Hybrid optical design
  • Pupil remapping

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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