Path length control in a nulling coronagraph with a MEMS deformable mirror and a calibration interferometer

Rao, Shanti; Wallace, J. Kent; Samuele, Rocco; Chakrabarti, Supriya; Cook, Timothy A.; Hicks, Brian; Jung, Paul; Lane, Benjamin F.; Levine, B. M.; Mendillo, Chris; Schmidtlin, Edouard; Shao, M.; Stewart, Jason B.

doi:10.1117/12.763652

Cited by 19 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Both operate at higher altitudes than ground observatories and hence are less limited by atmospheric effects. Sounding rockets have short flight times and even shorter data collection times, however a sounding rocket mission exists to attempt to image epsilon-Eridani's (Figure-1) jovian planet (Rao et al, 2008). Balloons may have longer duration flights of one to two days with the potential for 100 day flights using super pressure balloons, and are ultimately more amenable to exosolar planet missions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Balloon exoplanet nulling interferometer (BENI)

et al. 2009

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We evaluate the feasibility of a balloon-borne nulling interferometer to detect and characterize an exosolar planet and the surrounding debris disk. The existing instrument consists of a three-telescope Fizeau imaging interferometer with thre fast steering mirrors and three delay lines operating at 800 Hz for closed-loop control of wavefront errors and fine pointing. A compact visible nulling interferometer would be coupled to the imaging interferometer and in principle, allows deep starlight suppression. Atmospheric simulations of the environment above 100,000 feet show that balloonborne payloads are a possible path towards the direct detection and characterization of a limited set of exoplanets and debris disks. Furthermore, rapid development of lower cost balloon payloads provide a path towards advancement of NASA technology readiness levels for future space-based exoplanet missions. Discussed are the BENI mission and instrument, the balloon environment and the feasibility of such a balloon-borne mission.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Balloon exoplanet nulling interferometer (BENI)

et al. 2009

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“…Laboratory tests have demonstrated their use for phase correction to 6 nm root-mean-square (RMS) residual errors within the controllable spatial frequencies [34]. DMs can also be used to remove phase differences between the arms of an interferometer for speckle nulling applications [35], and a MEMS DM has been demonstrated to reach path-length difference control down to 2 nm RMS [36]. In addition to astronomy, MEMS DMs are used for applications such as biological imaging [37], laser communications [38], and Earth observation imaging [39].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

MEMS Deformable Mirrors for Space-Based High-Contrast Imaging

et al. 2019

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Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Deformable Mirrors (DMs) enable precise wavefront control for optical systems. This technology can be used to meet the extreme wavefront control requirements for high contrast imaging of exoplanets with coronagraph instruments. MEMS DM technology is being demonstrated and developed in preparation for future exoplanet high contrast imaging space telescopes, including the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) mission which supported the development of a 2040 actuator MEMS DM. In this paper, we discuss ground testing results and several projects which demonstrate the operation of MEMS DMs in the space environment. The missions include the Planet Imaging Concept Testbed Using a Recoverable Experiment (PICTURE) sounding rocket (launched 2011), the Planet Imaging Coronagraphic Technology Using a Reconfigurable Experimental Base (PICTURE-B) sounding rocket (launched 2015), the Planetary Imaging Concept Testbed Using a Recoverable Experiment - Coronagraph (PICTURE-C) high altitude balloon (expected launch 2019), the High Contrast Imaging Balloon System (HiCIBaS) high altitude balloon (launched 2018), and the Deformable Mirror Demonstration Mission (DeMi) CubeSat mission (expected launch late 2019). We summarize results from the previously flown missions and objectives for the missions that are next on the pad. PICTURE had technical difficulties with the sounding rocket telemetry system. PICTURE-B demonstrated functionality at >100 km altitude after the payload experienced 12-g RMS (Vehicle Level 2) test and sounding rocket launch loads. The PICTURE-C balloon aims to demonstrate 10 - 7 contrast using a vector vortex coronagraph, image plane wavefront sensor, and a 952 actuator MEMS DM. The HiClBaS flight experienced a DM cabling issue, but the 37-segment hexagonal piston-tip-tilt DM is operational post-flight. The DeMi mission aims to demonstrate wavefront control to a precision of less than 100 nm RMS in space with a 140 actuator MEMS DM.

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“…This goal is tantalizingly close to our grasp, and could be achieved within our lifetime. Instruments have been designed and to some extent tested, 2,3,4,5,6 that are capable of direct detection-blocking the light from a nearby star and revealing the faint light of any planets orbiting around it. In this directly detected exoplanet light, we can observe atmospheric absorption lines, including biomarkers that provide evidence of life on that exoplanet.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advanced speckle sensing for internal coronagraphs

Noecker¹,

Shaklan

Wallace

et al. 2011

SPIE Proceedings

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A 4-8m diameter telescope carrying a coronagraph instrument is a leading candidate for an anticipated flagship mission to detect and characterize Earth-size exoplanets in the 2020s. 1 Many candidate coronagraph instruments have been proposed, and one is close to meeting some of the principal requirements for that mission. But the telescope and instrument will need exquisite stability and precise control of the incoming wavefront to enable detection of faint companions (10 -10 of the star) at an angular separation of 2-4 Airy radii. In particular, wavefront errors cause speckles in the image, and variations in those speckles can confound the exoplanet detection. This challenge is compounded by the background light from zodiacal dust around our Sun and the target star, which limits the speed with which we can estimate and correct the speckles. We are working on developing coherent speckle detection techniques that will allow rapid calibration of speckles on the science detector, allowing subtraction in post-processing or correction with deformable mirrors. The expected speed improvement allows a much quicker timeline for measurement & calibration, which reduces the required telescope stability requirement and eases both the flight system design and the challenge of ground testing. We will describe the experiments and summarize progress to date.

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Path length control in a nulling coronagraph with a MEMS deformable mirror and a calibration interferometer

Cited by 19 publications

References 7 publications

Balloon exoplanet nulling interferometer (BENI)

Balloon exoplanet nulling interferometer (BENI)

MEMS Deformable Mirrors for Space-Based High-Contrast Imaging

Advanced speckle sensing for internal coronagraphs

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