Prototyping coronagraphs for exoplanet characterization with SPHERE
Abstract
The detection and characterization of extrasolar planets with SPHERE (Spectro Polarimetric High contrast Exoplanet REsearch) is challenging and in particular relies on the ability of a coronagraph to attenuate the diffracted starlight. SPHERE includes 3 instruments, 2 of which can be operated simultaneously in the near IR from 0.95 to 1.8 microns. This requirements is extremely critical for coronagraphy. This paper briefly introduces the concepts of 2 coronagraphs, the Half-Wave Plate Four Quadrant Phase Masks and the Apodized Pupil Lyot Coronagraph, prototyped within the SPHERE consortium by LESIA (Observatory of Paris) and FIZEAU (University of Nice) respectively. Then, we present the measurements of contrast and sensitivity analysis. The comparison with technical specifications allows to validate the technology for manufacturing these coronagraphs.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0807.0694,
title = {Prototyping coronagraphs for exoplanet characterization with SPHERE},
author = {Anthony Boccaletti and Lyu Abe and Jacques Baudrand and Jean-Baptiste Daban and Richard Douet and Geraldine Guerri and Sylvie Robbe-Dubois and Philippe Bendjoya and Kjetil Dohlen and Dimitri Mawet},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0807.0694},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
10 pages, will be published in the proceeding of the SPIE conference Volume 7015 "Adaptive Optics", held in Marseille from 23 to 28 june 2008