Taking the vector vortex coronagraph to the next level for ground- and space-based exoplanet imaging instruments: review of technology developments in the USA, Japan, and Europe

in Shaklan, Stuart (Ed.) Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets V. (2011, September 01)

The Vector Vortex Coronagraph (VVC) is one of the most attractive new-generation coronagraphs for ground- and space-based exoplanet imaging/characterization instruments, as recently demonstrated on sky at ... [more ▼]

The Vector Vortex Coronagraph (VVC) is one of the most attractive new-generation coronagraphs for ground- and space-based exoplanet imaging/characterization instruments, as recently demonstrated on sky at Palomar and in the laboratory at JPL, and Hokkaido University. Manufacturing technologies for devices covering wavelength ranges from the optical to the mid-infrared, have been maturing quickly. We will review the current status of technology developments supported by NASA in the USA (Jet Propulsion Laboratory-California Institute of Technology, University of Arizona, JDSU and BEAMCo), Europe (University of Li`ege, Observatoire de Paris- Meudon, University of Uppsala) and Japan (Hokkaido University, and Photonics Lattice Inc.), using liquid crystal polymers, subwavelength gratings, and photonics crystals, respectively. We will then browse concrete perspectives for the use of the VVC on upcoming ground-based facilities with or without (extreme) adaptive optics, extremely large ground-based telescopes, and space-based internal coronagraphs. [less ▲]

New generation phase coronagraphy

Poster (2006)

The four-quadrant ZOG and annular groove phase mask coronagraphs

in Coulter, Daniel R (Ed.) Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets II (2005, August 01)

Phase mask coronagraphy is a technique aiming at accommodating both high dynamic and high angular resolution imaging of faint sources around bright objects such as exo-planets orbiting their parent stars ... [more ▼]

Phase mask coronagraphy is a technique aiming at accommodating both high dynamic and high angular resolution imaging of faint sources around bright objects such as exo-planets orbiting their parent stars or host galaxies around Active Galactic Nuclei. We present two new phase mask coronagraphs implemented with subwavelength diffractive optical elements consisting of optimized surface-relief gratings. The first one is an evolution of the Four Quadrant Phase Mask coronagraph, which resolves the Ï phase shift chromaticity problem: the Four Quadrant Zeroth Order Grating (4QZOG). The second one is a totally new design consisting of an optical vortex induced by a space-variant grating: the Annular Groove Phase Mask (AGPM) coronagraph is fully symmetric and free from any "shaded zones". Some manufacturing hints are given. [less ▲]