Cheapest nuller in the world: Crossed beamsplitter cubes
Abstract
In this communication is described a new type of Achromatic phase shifter (APS) suitable for both nulling interferometry and coronagraphy, based on a couple of crossed beamsplitter cubes, well-suited for equipping future spaceborne instruments searching for extra-solar planets located in a habitable zone. We present the general principle of this APS and discuss possible implementations into a nulling coronagraph telescope or into a sparse-aperture interferometer, either of the Fizeau or Michelson type. Expected performance in terms of transmission maps and a preliminary tolerance analysis are also provided. It turns out that the device is cheap, compact, and presents reasonable manufacturing tolerances and costs
Cite
@article{arxiv.1407.2719,
title = {Cheapest nuller in the world: Crossed beamsplitter cubes},
author = {F. Henault and A. Spang},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1407.2719},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
This paper has been withdrawn by the authors due to wrong phase-shifts of the beams transmitted by the semi-reflective cubes. It follows that an achromatic and non polarized null is only achievable with two of the four considered telescopes. A revised paper will be issued soon