Integrated photonic-based coronagraphic systems for future space telescopes

Abstract

The detection and characterization of Earth-like exoplanets around Sun-like stars is a primary science motivation for the Habitable Worlds Observatory. However, the current best technology is not yet advanced enough to reach the 10−10 contrasts at close angular separations and at the same time remain insensitive to low-order aberrations, as would be required to achieve high-contrast imaging of exo-Earths. Photonic technologies could fill this gap, potentially doubling exo-Earth yield. We review current work on photonic coronagraphs and investigate the potential of hybridized designs which combine both classical coronagraph designs and photonic technologies into a single optical system. We present two possible systems. First, a hybrid solution which splits the field of view spatially such that the photonics handle light within the inner working angle and a conventional coronagraph that suppresses starlight outside it. Second, a hybrid solution where the conventional coronagraph and photonics operate in series, complementing each other and thereby loosening requirements on each subsystem. As photonic technologies continue to advance, a hybrid or fully photonic coronagraph holds great potential for future exoplanet imaging from space.

Authors 40

1. Niyati Desai

   California Institute of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Astronomy, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA

2. Lorenzo König

   University of Liège

   Affiliation as printed

   STAR Institute, Liège Univ. (Belgium)

3. Emiel H. Por

   Space Telescope Science Institute

   Affiliation as printed

   Space Telescope Science Institute (United States)

4. Roser Juanola-Parramon

   Goddard Space Flight Center · University of Maryland, College Park

   Affiliation as printed

   NASA Goddard Space Flight Ctr. (United States)

   Univ. of Maryland (United States)

5. Ruslan Belikov

   Ames Research Center

   Affiliation as printed

   NASA Ames Research Ctr. (United States)

6. Iva Laginja

   Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Observatoire de Paris · Sorbonne Université · Laboratoire d’études spatiales et d’instrumentation en astrophysique

   Affiliation as printed

   LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, Univ. PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Univ., Univ. de Paris (France)

7. Olivier Guyon

   University of Arizona

   Affiliation as printed

   Subaru Telescope, NAOJ (United States)

   Univ. of Arizona (United States)

8. Laurent A. Pueyo

   Space Telescope Science Institute

   Affiliation as printed

   Space Telescope Science Institute (United States)

9. Kevin W. Fogarty

   Ames Research Center

   Affiliation as printed

   NASA Ames Research Ctr. (United States)

10. Olivier Absil

    University of Arizona

    Affiliation as printed

    Subaru Telescope, NAOJ (United States)

    Univ. of Arizona (United States)

11. Lisa Altinier

    California Institute of Technology

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

12. Pierre Baudoz

    Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Observatoire de Paris · Sorbonne Université · Laboratoire d’études spatiales et d’instrumentation en astrophysique

    Affiliation as printed

    LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, Univ. PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Univ., Univ. de Paris (France)

13. Alexis Bidot

    California Institute of Technology

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

14. Markus J. Bonse

    California Institute of Technology · University of Liège

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

    STAR Institute, Liège Univ. (Belgium)

15. Kimberly Bott

    California Institute of Technology · Space Telescope Science Institute · Goddard Space Flight Center

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

    NASA Goddard Space Flight Ctr. (United States)

    Space Telescope Science Institute (United States)

16. Bernhard R. Brandl Aachen Leiden Observatory

    Leiden University · Leiden Observatory

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

17. Alexis Carlotti

    California Institute of Technology

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

18. S. L. Casewell

    California Institute of Technology · Ames Research Center

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

    NASA Ames Research Ctr. (United States)

19. Élodie Choquet

    Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Aix-Marseille Université

    Affiliation as printed

    Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CNES, LAM, Marseille, France

20. Nicolas B. Cowan

    California Institute of Technology · Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Observatoire de Paris · Sorbonne Université · Laboratoire d’études spatiales et d’instrumentation en astrophysique

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

    LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, Univ. PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Univ., Univ. de Paris (France)

21. David S. Doelman

    California Institute of Technology · University of Arizona · University of Maryland, College Park

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

    Univ. of Arizona (United States)

    Univ. of Maryland (United States)

22. Timothy D. Gebhard

    University of Liège

    Affiliation as printed

    STAR Institute, Liège Univ. (Belgium)

23. Yann Gutierrez

    California Institute of Technology · Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · University of Liège · Observatoire de Paris · Sorbonne Université · Laboratoire d’études spatiales et d’instrumentation en astrophysique

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

    LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, Univ. PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Univ., Univ. de Paris (France)

    STAR Institute, Liège Univ. (Belgium)

24. Sebastiaan Y. Haffert

    Space Telescope Science Institute · University of Liège

    Affiliation as printed

    STAR Institute, Liège Univ. (Belgium)

    Space Telescope Science Institute (United States)

25. Olivier Herscovici-Schiller

    Goddard Space Flight Center · University of Liège

    Affiliation as printed

    NASA Goddard Space Flight Ctr. (United States)

    STAR Institute, Liège Univ. (Belgium)

26. Adrien Hours

    University of Liège · University of Maryland, College Park

    Affiliation as printed

    STAR Institute, Liège Univ. (Belgium)

    Univ. of Maryland (United States)

27. Matthew A. Kenworthy

    California Institute of Technology · University of Maryland, College Park

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

    Univ. of Maryland (United States)

28. Elina Kleisioti

    California Institute of Technology · University of Maryland, College Park

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

    Univ. of Maryland (United States)

29. Mariya Krasteva

    Ames Research Center · University of Liège

    Affiliation as printed

    NASA Ames Research Ctr. (United States)

    STAR Institute, Liège Univ. (Belgium)

30. Rico Landman

    California Institute of Technology · University of Maryland, College Park

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

    Univ. of Maryland (United States)

31. Lucie Leboulleux

    California Institute of Technology

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

32. Johan Mazoyer

    Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Observatoire de Paris · Sorbonne Université · Laboratoire d’études spatiales et d’instrumentation en astrophysique

    Affiliation as printed

    LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, Univ. PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Univ., Univ. de Paris (France)

33. Maxwell A. Millar‐Blanchaer

    Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · University of Liège · Observatoire de Paris · Sorbonne Université · Laboratoire d’études spatiales et d’instrumentation en astrophysique

    Affiliation as printed

    LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, Univ. PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Univ., Univ. de Paris (France)

    STAR Institute, Liège Univ. (Belgium)

34. David Mouillet

    University of Liège · University of Maryland, College Park

    Affiliation as printed

    STAR Institute, Liège Univ. (Belgium)

    Univ. of Maryland (United States)

35. Mamadou N’Diaye

    University of Arizona · University of Liège

    Affiliation as printed

    STAR Institute, Liège Univ. (Belgium)

    Univ. of Arizona (United States)

36. Frans Snik

    California Institute of Technology · University of Maryland, College Park

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

    Univ. of Maryland (United States)

37. Dirk M. van Dam

    California Institute of Technology · University of Maryland, College Park

    Affiliation as printed

    California Institute of Technology (United States)

    Univ. of Maryland (United States)

38. Kyle Van Gorkom

    Space Telescope Science Institute · University of Liège

    Affiliation as printed

    STAR Institute, Liège Univ. (Belgium)

    Space Telescope Science Institute (United States)

39. Maaike van Kooten

    University of Liège

    Affiliation as printed

    STAR Institute, Liège Univ. (Belgium)

    Subaru Telescope, NAOJ (United States)

40. Sophia R. Vaughan

    Space Telescope Science Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Space Telescope Science Institute (United States)