EPICS: the exoplanet imager for the E-ELT

Kasper, Markus; Beuzit, Jean-Luc; Vérinaud, Christophe; Yaitskova, Natalia; Baudoz, Pierre; Boccaletti, A.; Gratton, R.; Hubin, N.; Kerber, F.; Roelfsema, R.; Schmid, Hans Martin; Thatte, Niranjan; Dohlen, Kjetil; Feldt, M.; Venema, Lars; Wolf, S.

doi:10.1117/12.789047

Cited by 49 publications

(34 citation statements)

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“…The lessons learned by applying the method could also facilitate the approach for the design of future instruments such as EPICS for the European Extremely Large Telescope (Kasper et al 2008), and the definition of their calibration procedures.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is the case of GPI (Gemini; Graham et al 2007), Palm 3000 (Palomar; Hinkley et al 2011), SCExAO (Subaru;Martinache & Guyon 2009), SPHERE (VLT; Beuzit et al 2008), and several others that will follow, such as EPICS (E-ELT; Kasper et al 2008). By combining extreme adaptive optics (Ex-AO) and more accurate coronagraphs than before, the level of star light cancellation is highly improved, leading to a better signal-to-noise ratio.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Simultaneous exoplanet detection and instrument aberration retrieval in multispectral coronagraphic imaging

Ygouf

Mugnier

Mouillet

et al. 2013

A&A

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Context. High-contrast imaging for the detection and characterization of exoplanets relies on the instrument's capability to block out the light of the host star. Some current post-processing methods for calibrating out the residual speckles use information redundancy offered by multispectral imaging but do not use any prior information on the origin of these speckles. Aims. We investigate whether additional information on the system and image formation process can be used to more finely exploit the multispectral information. Methods. We developed an inversion method in a Bayesian framework that is based on an analytical imaging model to estimate both the speckles and the object map. The model links the instrumental aberrations to the speckle pattern in the image focal plane, distinguishing between aberrations upstream and downstream of the coronagraph. Results. We propose and validate several numerical techniques to handle the difficult minimization problems of phase retrieval and achieve a contrast of 10 6 at 0.2 arcsec from simulated images, in the presence of photon noise. Conclusions. This opens up the the possibility of tests on real data where the ultimate performance may override the current techniques if the instrument has good and stable coronagraphic imaging quality. This paves the way for new astrophysical exploitations or even new designs for future instruments.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simultaneous exoplanet detection and instrument aberration retrieval in multispectral coronagraphic imaging

Ygouf

Mugnier

Mouillet

et al. 2013

A&A

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“…In particular, it is well known that aberrations due to atmospheric turbulence are devastating to any attempt of stellar coronagraphy unless powerful adaptive optics correction is adopted (Racine et al 1999;Sivaramakrishnan et al 2001;Aime & Soummer 2004). Considering coronagraphic performance in the case of ideal optics allows us to evaluate the ultimate performance of a coronagraph, performance which could expectedly be approached in the forthcoming generation of exoplanet direct imaging systems, like SPHERE (Beuzit et al 2006), GPI (Macintosh et al 2006), HiCIAO (Hodapp et al 2008), EPICS (Kasper et al 2008), TPF (Traub et al 2007), etc.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thanks to its large potential for wide-band coronagraphy and its advantage with respect to pupil obscurations, the DZPM concept has been preselected as a candidate for the EPICS planet finder instrument (Kasper et al 2008) for the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT). In this context, a proof of concept experiment has been initiated in the framework of the European Union FP7 program.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental results with a second-generation Roddier & Roddier phase mask coronagraph

N’Diaye¹,

Dohlen²,

Cuevas³

et al. 2010

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Context. Coronagraphic techniques are required to observe substellar mass companions close to nearby bright stars by direct imagery. Phase mask coronagraphs are particularly interesting because they give access to the innermost regions. While the principle of the first such concept was validated experimentally a decade ago, the achieved brightness attenuation was too low to be conclusive, probably due to the imperfect thickness profile of the mask. Aims. We have manufactured and tested a second-generation Roddier & Roddier coronagraph in preparation for the development of more elaborate phase mask designs, planned to be used in the future European Extremely Large Telescope. Methods. A monolithic phase mask was made by ion beam machining. Experimentally obtained coronagraphic images were compared with simulated images. Results. Good agreement with theory was obtained. A peak attenuation of 216 was achieved, and a contrast of ∼10 −5 was measured at 5.7 λ/D. The results exploring contrasts obtained at different distances from the star for different mask dimensions are particularly interesting, confirming predictions made in the literature.

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“…The exoplanet imaging camera and spectrograph (EPICS, Kasper et al 2008) is an instrument project dedicated to the direct imaging and characterization of extrasolar planets with the future 42 m European-extremely large telescope (E-ELT, Gilmozzi & Spyromilio 2008). EPICS will be designed for both visible and near-IR observations and will provide photometric, spectroscopic, and polarimetric capabilities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design, analysis, and testing of a microdot apodizer for the apodized pupil Lyot coronagraph

Martínez¹,

Dorrer²,

Kasper³

et al. 2010

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Context. The apodized-pupil Lyot coronagraph is one of the most advanced starlight cancellation concepts studied intensively in the past few years. Extreme adaptive optics instruments built for present-day 8m class telescopes will operate with such coronagraph for imagery and spectroscopy of faint stellar companions. Aims. Following the development of an early demonstrator in the context of the VLT-SPHERE project (∼2012), we manufactured and tested a second APLC prototype in microdots designed for extremely large telescopes. This study has been conducted in the context of the EPICS instrument project for the European-ELT (∼2018), where a proof of concept is required at this stage. Methods. Our prototype was specifically designed for the European-ELT pupil, taking its large central obscuration ratio (30%) into account. Near-IR laboratory results are compared with simulations. Results. We demonstrate good agreement with theory. A peak attenuation of 295 was achieved, and contrasts of 10 −5 and 10 −6 were reached at 7 and 12 λ/D, respectively. We show that the APLC is able to maintain these contrasts with a central obscuration ratio of the telescope in the range 15% to 30%, and we report that these performances can be achieved in a wide wavelength bandpass (Δλ/λ = 24%). In addition, we report improvement to the accuracy of the control of the local transmission of the manufactured microdot apodizer to that of the previous prototype. The local profile error is found to be less than 2%. Conclusions. The maturity and reproducibility of the APLC made with microdots is demonstrated. The apodized pupil Lyot coronagraph is confirmed to be a pertinent candidate for high-contrast imaging with ELTs.

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EPICS: the exoplanet imager for the E-ELT

Cited by 49 publications

References 0 publications

Simultaneous exoplanet detection and instrument aberration retrieval in multispectral coronagraphic imaging

Simultaneous exoplanet detection and instrument aberration retrieval in multispectral coronagraphic imaging

Experimental results with a second-generation Roddier & Roddier phase mask coronagraph

Design, analysis, and testing of a microdot apodizer for the apodized pupil Lyot coronagraph

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