Adaptive nulling: a new enabling technology for interferometric exo-planet detection

Details Adaptive nulling: a new enabling technology for interferometric exo-planet detection Adaptive nulling: a new enabling technology for interferometric exo-planet detection

Nov 2003

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003spie.5170..103l&link_type=abstract

Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets. Edited by Coulter, Daniel R. Proceedings of the SPIE, Volume 5170,

Physics

Optics

1

Scientific paper

Deep, stable nulling of starlight requires careful control of the amplitudes and phases of the beams that are being combined. The detection of earth-like planets using the interferometer architectures currently being considered for the Terrestrial Planet Finder mission require that the E-field amplitudes are balanced at the level of ~ 0.1%, and the phases are controlled at the level of 1 mrad (corresponding to ~ 1.5 nm for a wavelength of 10 μm). These conditions must be met simultaneously at all wavelengths across the science band, and for both polarization states, imposing unrealistic tolerances on the symmetry between the optical beamtrains. We introduce the concept of a compensator that is inserted into the beamtrain, which can adaptively correct for the mismatches across the spectrum, enabling deep nulls with realistic, imperfect optics. The design presented uses a deformable mirror to adjust the amplitude and phase of each beam as an arbitrary function of wavelength and polarization. A proof-of-concept experiment will be conducted at visible / near-IR wavelengths, followed by a system operating in the Mid-IR band.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Adaptive nulling: a new enabling technology for interferometric exo-planet detection 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 Adaptive nulling: a new enabling technology for interferometric exo-planet detection, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Adaptive nulling: a new enabling technology for interferometric exo-planet detection will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1768263