Diffraction Analysis of 2-D Pupil Mapping for High-Contrast Imaging

Details Diffraction Analysis of 2-D Pupil Mapping for High-Contrast Imaging Diffraction Analysis of 2-D Pupil Mapping for High-Contrast Imaging

2005-06-22

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0506550v1

Astrophys.J.636:528-543,2005

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

23 pages, 13 figures, also posted to http://www.orfe.princeton.edu/~rvdb/tex/piaaFresnel/ms.pdf

Scientific paper

10.1086/497901

Pupil-mapping is a technique whereby a uniformly-illuminated input pupil, such as from starlight, can be mapped into a non-uniformly illuminated exit pupil, such that the image formed from this pupil will have suppressed sidelobes, many orders of magnitude weaker than classical Airy ring intensities. Pupil mapping is therefore a candidate technique for coronagraphic imaging of extrasolar planets around nearby stars. Unlike most other high-contrast imaging techniques, pupil mapping is lossless and preserves the full angular resolution of the collecting telescope. So, it could possibly give the highest signal-to-noise ratio of any proposed single-telescope system for detecting extrasolar planets. Prior analyses based on pupil-to-pupil ray-tracing indicate that a planet fainter than 10^{-10} times its parent star, and as close as about 2 lambda/D, should be detectable. In this paper, we describe the results of careful diffraction analysis of pupil mapping systems. These results reveal a serious unresolved issue. Namely, high-contrast pupil mappings distribute light from very near the edge of the first pupil to a broad area of the second pupil and this dramatically amplifies diffraction-based edge effects resulting in a limiting attainable contrast of about 10^{-5}. We hope that by identifying this problem others will provide a solution.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Diffraction Analysis of 2-D Pupil Mapping for High-Contrast Imaging does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Diffraction Analysis of 2-D Pupil Mapping for High-Contrast Imaging, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Diffraction Analysis of 2-D Pupil Mapping for High-Contrast Imaging will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-624676