Deep and stable interferometric nulling of broadband light with implications for observing planets around nearby stars

Details Deep and stable interferometric nulling of broadband light with implications for observing planets around nearby stars Deep and stable interferometric nulling of broadband light with implications for observing planets around nearby stars

Aug 2000

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000natur.406..700w&link_type=abstract

Nature, Volume 406, Issue 6797, pp. 700-702 (2000).

Physics

19

Scientific paper

The number of indirectly detected planetary systems around nearby stars has grown tremendously since their initial discovery five years ago. But the direct observation of light reflected from these systems remains a formidable task, because of the high contrast ratios between them and their parent stars, and because of the tiny angular separations. Theoretically, these difficulties can be overcome by using a dual-aperture stellar interferometer in which the starlight is cancelled, or `nulled', by broadband destructive interference, leaving the planet's light visible. Although the basic requirement of equal and oppositely directed electric fields is easy to state, an experimental demonstration of deep broadband nulling has been lacking, owing to difficulties engendered by the needs for extreme symmetry and stability, and low dispersion in the optical system. Here we report the deep (10-4) and stable nulling of broadband (18% bandwidth) thermal light. These results validate the physical principles underlying future planet-searching interferometers, and our laboratory instrument will serve as a prototype for the nulling instrument to be implemented on the Keck interferometer in 2001.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Deep and stable interferometric nulling of broadband light with implications for observing planets around nearby stars 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 Deep and stable interferometric nulling of broadband light with implications for observing planets around nearby stars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Deep and stable interferometric nulling of broadband light with implications for observing planets around nearby stars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-891432