L'-band AGPM vector vortex coronagraph's first light on VLT/NACO: Discovery of a late-type companion at two beamwidths from an F0V star

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2013), 552

Context. High contrast imaging has thoroughly combed through the limited search space accessible with first-generation ground-based adaptive optics instruments and the Hubble Space Telescope. Only a few ... [more ▼]

Context. High contrast imaging has thoroughly combed through the limited search space accessible with first-generation ground-based adaptive optics instruments and the Hubble Space Telescope. Only a few objects were discovered, and many non-detections reported and statistically interpreted. The field is now in need of a technological breakthrough. Aim. Our aim is to open a new search space with first-generation systems such as NACO at the Very Large Telescope, by providing ground-breaking inner working angle (IWA) capabilities in the L' band. The L' band is a sweet spot for high contrast coronagraphy since the planet-to-star brightness ratio is favorable, while the Strehl ratio is naturally higher. Methods. An annular groove phase mask (AGPM) vector vortex coronagraph optimized for the L' band, made from diamond subwavelength gratings was manufactured and qualified in the lab. The AGPM enables high contrast imaging at very small IWA, potentially being the key to unexplored discovery space. Results. Here we present the installation and successful on-sky tests of an L'-band AGPM coronagraph on NACO. Using angular differential imaging, which is well suited to the rotational symmetry of the AGPM, we demonstrated a \Delta L' > 7.5 mag contrast from an IWA ~ 0".09 onwards, during average seeing conditions, and for total integration times of a few hundred seconds. [less ▲]

A Dim Candidate Companion to epsilon Cephei

in Astrophysical Journal Letters (2011), 738

Using a vector vortex coronagraph behind the 1.5 m well-corrected subaperture (WCS) at Palomar, we detected a second object very close to epsilon Cephei, a δ Scuti F0 IV star. The candidate companion, ~50 ... [more ▼]

Using a vector vortex coronagraph behind the 1.5 m well-corrected subaperture (WCS) at Palomar, we detected a second object very close to epsilon Cephei, a δ Scuti F0 IV star. The candidate companion, ~50 times fainter than epsilon Cephei, if physically associated, is a late-type K or early M star, and lies at an angular separation of 330 mas, or 1.1 λ/D for the WCS, making it the smallest angle detection ever realized with a coronagraph in terms of λ/D units. The projected separation of the putative companion is ~8.6 AU, most likely on a highly eccentric orbit. The recently detected near-infrared excess is thus likely not due to hot dust. Moreover, we also show that the previously reported IRAS 60 μm excess was due to source confusion on the galactic plane. [less ▲]

High contrast stellar observations within the diffraction limit at the Palomar Hale telescope

in McLean, I.; Ramsay, S.; Takami, H. (Eds.) Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy III (2010, July 01)

We report on high-accuracy, high-resolution (< 20mas) stellar measurements obtained in the near infrared ( 2.2 microns) at the Palomar 200 inch telescope using two elliptical (3m x 1.5m) sub-apertures ... [more ▼]

We report on high-accuracy, high-resolution (< 20mas) stellar measurements obtained in the near infrared ( 2.2 microns) at the Palomar 200 inch telescope using two elliptical (3m x 1.5m) sub-apertures located 3.4m apart. Our interferometric coronagraph, known as the "Palomar Fiber Nuller" (PFN), is located downstream of the Palomar adaptive optics (AO) system and recombines the two separate beams into a common singlemode fiber. The AO system acts as a "fringe tracker", maintaining the optical path difference (OPD) between the beams around an adjustable value, which is set to the central dark interference fringe. AO correction ensures high efficiency and stable injection of the beams into the single-mode fiber. A chopper wheel and a fast photometer are used to record short (< 50ms per beam) interleaved sequences of background, individual beam and interferometric signals. In order to analyze these chopped null data sequences, we developed a new statistical method, baptized "Null Self-Calibration" (NSC), which provides astrophysical null measurements at the 0.001 level, with 1 σ uncertainties as low as 0.0003. Such accuracy translates into a dynamic range greater than 1000:1 within the diffraction limit, demonstrating that the approach effectively bridges the traditional gap between regular coronagraphs, limited in angular resolution, and long baseline visibility interferometers, whose dynamic range is restricted to 100:1. As our measurements are extremely sensitive to the brightness distribution very close to the optical axis, we were able to constrain the stellar diameters and amounts of circumstellar emission for a sample of very bright stars. With the improvement expected when the PALM-3000 extreme AO system comes on-line at Palomar, the same instrument now equipped with a state of the art low noise fast read-out near IR camera, will yield 10[SUP]-4[/SUP] to 10[SUP]-3[/SUP] contrast as close as 30 mas for stars with K magnitude brighter than 6. Such a system will provide a unique and ideal tool for the detection of young (<100 Myr) self-luminous planets and hot debris disks in the immediate vicinity (0.1 to a few AUs) of nearby (< 50pc) stars. [less ▲]

The potential of rotating-baseline nulling interferometers operating within large single-telescope apertures

in Danchi, W. C.; Delplancke, F.; Rajagopal, J. K. (Eds.) Optical and Infrared Interferometry II (2010, July 01)

The use of a rotating-baseline nulling interferometer for exoplanet detection was proposed several decades ago, but the technique has not yet been fully demonstrated in practice. Here we consider the ... [more ▼]

The use of a rotating-baseline nulling interferometer for exoplanet detection was proposed several decades ago, but the technique has not yet been fully demonstrated in practice. Here we consider the faint companion and exozodiacal disk detection capabilities of rotating-baseline nulling interferometers, such as are envisioned for space-based infrared nullers, but operating instead within the aperture of large single telescopes. In particular, a nulling interferometer on a large aperture corrected by a next-generation extreme adaptive optics system can provide deep interferometric contrasts, and also reach smaller angles (sub λ/D) than classical coronagraphs. Such rotating nullers also provide validation for an eventual space-based rotating-baseline nulling interferometer. As practical examples, we describe ongoing experiments with rotating nullers at Palomar and Keck, and consider briefly the case of the Thirty Meter Telescope. [less ▲]

Technology for a Mid-IR Flagship Mission to Characterize Earth-like Exoplanets

E-print/Working paper (2009)

The exploration of Earth-like exoplanets will be enabled at mid-infrared wavelengths through technology and engineering advances in nulling interferometry and precision formation flying. Nulling ... [more ▼]

The exploration of Earth-like exoplanets will be enabled at mid-infrared wavelengths through technology and engineering advances in nulling interferometry and precision formation flying. Nulling interferometry provides the dynamic range needed for the detection of biomarkers. Formation flying provides the angular resolution required in the mid-infrared to separately distinguish the spectra of planets in multi-planet systems. The flight performance requirements for nulling have been met and must now be validated in a flight-like environment. Formation-flying algorithms have been demonstrated in the lab and must now be validated in space. Our proposed technology program is described. [less ▲]

Optical Vectorial Vortex Coronagraphs using Liquid Crystal Polymers: theory, manufacturing and laboratory demonstration

in Optics Express (2009), 17

Not Available

Fresnel rhombs as achromatic phase shifters for infrared nulling interferometry

in Optics Express (2007), 15

We propose a new family of achromatic phase shifters for infrared nulling interferometry. These key optical components can be seen as optimized Fresnel rhombs, using the total internal reflection ... [more ▼]

We propose a new family of achromatic phase shifters for infrared nulling interferometry. These key optical components can be seen as optimized Fresnel rhombs, using the total internal reflection phenomenon, modulated or not. The total internal reflection indeed comes with a phase shift between the polarization components of the incident light. We propose a solution to implement this vectorial phase shift between interferometer arms to provide the destructive interference process needed to disentangle highly contrasted objects from one another. We also show that, modulating the index transition at the total internal reflection interface allows compensating for the intrinsic material dispersion in order to make the subsequent phase shift achromatic over especially broad bands. The modulation can be induced by a thin film of a well-chosen material or a subwavelength grating whose structural parameters are thoroughly optimized. We present results from theoretical simulations! together with preliminary fabrication outcomes and measurements for a prototype in Zinc Selenide. [less ▲]

The annular groove phase mask coronagraph: an achromatic optical vortex

in Coulter, Daniel R (Ed.) "Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets III" Proceedings of the SPIE, Volume 6693, Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Conference Series (2007, September 01)

The Annular Groove Phase Mask coronagraph (AGPM) is an intrinsically achromatic vectorial vortex. It consists of integrated subwavelength optical elements whose space-variant polarization properties can ... [more ▼]

The Annular Groove Phase Mask coronagraph (AGPM) is an intrinsically achromatic vectorial vortex. It consists of integrated subwavelength optical elements whose space-variant polarization properties can be engineered and optimized to synthesize one of the theoretically most efficient coronagraphs. This paper briefly recalls the principles of the AGPM, presents the benefit of its implementation inside a polarimetric differential imager, realistic numerical simulations assessing its performances, as well as the current status of the near-infrared and visible prototype manufacturing operations. [less ▲]

SEE-COAST: The Super-Earth Explorer

in Barret, D.; Casoli, F.; Lagache, G. (Eds.) et al SF2A-2006: Proceedings of the Annual meeting of the French Society of Astronomy and Astrophysics (2006)

The Super-Earth Explorer Coronagraphic Off Axis Space Telescope (SEE-COAST) is a space mission concept to be submitted to ESA call for proposals. It is devoted to the direct imaging, in the visible, of ... [more ▼]

The Super-Earth Explorer Coronagraphic Off Axis Space Telescope (SEE-COAST) is a space mission concept to be submitted to ESA call for proposals. It is devoted to the direct imaging, in the visible, of the stellar light reflected by its planetary companion. Here we present the type of planetary characterization we may accomplish with SEE-COAST, and we include a brief description of the spacecraft and mission strategy. [less ▲]

Birefringent achromatic phase shifters for nulling interferometry and phase coronagraphy

in Earths: DARWIN/TPF and the Search for Extrasolar Terrestrial Planets (2003, October 01)

Achromatic Phase Shifters are mandatory components in the field of nulling interferometry and phase coronagraphy. Indeed, in order to detect faint objects (e.g. exo-planets) around a central bright star ... [more ▼]

Achromatic Phase Shifters are mandatory components in the field of nulling interferometry and phase coronagraphy. Indeed, in order to detect faint objects (e.g. exo-planets) around a central bright star, one must attenuate the latter by all means. To do this, the most efficient way is to "create" a destructive interference on the blinding light. This technique is called nulling and is common to the two fields mentioned above; the first with several telescopes, the second with only a single aperture. How does it work? The incoming light from the central object is divided into several beams on which one applies a differential Ï phase shift by means of these so-called phase shifters. Then, when the beams are properly recombined together, they simply subtract from each other. "Achromatic" means that we can apply this process over a large spectral bandwidth. This quality will not only be required for the detection and characterization of exo-planets but also for several other astrophysical objects involving huge contrasts like dust shells around young bright stars, AGN,... The proposed birefringent phase shifters and the original implementation schemes we suggest should provide flexible and powerful solutions for these purposes. [less ▲]