The VLT/ERIS grating vector Apodizing Phase Plate coronagraph
Astronomy and Astrophysics, vol. 708, pp. A239
Abstract
Aims . We describe the design, laboratory manufacture, and on-sky testing of the grating vector apodizing phase plate (gvAPP) coronagraph for the Enhanced Resolution Imager and Spectrograph (ERIS) on the Very Large Telescope. Methods . We used both laboratory measurements and on-sky observations to characterise the gvAPP in several different filters, from the K to the L band. Results . In testing, the gvAPP reaches its design specification in the transmission of the optic with 90% in the K bands and 60% in the L band. While the gvAPP reaches its designed raw contrast performance of 1 × 10 −5 , it does not reach the post-processed contrast of 5 × 10 −5 in on-sky observations. Electronic detector noise, due to the Airy core of the coronagraphic point spread function inducing cross-talk between the readout amplifiers, produces a repeated pattern within the coronagraphic regions of the gvAPP. Conclusions . Despite these limitations, we recommend the gvAPP as a tool for characterising substellar companions with known separations and position angles, which allow them to be placed in the coronagraphic dark holes for observations. The ERIS gvAPP’s leakage term can also be used as a photometric reference for time series observations; however, we caution that the contrast performance may limit such studies to only the brightest targets. ERIS gvAPP data quality may be improved further with better modelling of detector electronic noise. This work is a pathfinder for Extremely Large Telescope instruments including METIS, which will include gvAPP coronagraphs with improved designs based on these results.
Authors 32
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Leiden University · Leiden Observatory
Affiliation as printed
Leiden Observatory, Leiden University
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ETH Zurich · Institute for Particle Physics and Astrophysics
Affiliation as printed
ETH Zurich, Institute for Particle Physics & Astrophysics
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ETH Zurich · Institute for Particle Physics and Astrophysics
Affiliation as printed
ETH Zurich, Institute for Particle Physics & Astrophysics
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Leiden University · Leiden Observatory · Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
Leiden Observatory, Leiden University
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research
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Royal Observatory · University of Edinburgh
Affiliation as printed
Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Royal Observatory
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Leiden University · Royal Observatory · Leiden Observatory · University of Edinburgh
Affiliation as printed
Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Royal Observatory
Leiden Observatory, Leiden University
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Leiden University · Leiden Observatory
Affiliation as printed
Leiden Observatory, Leiden University
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European Southern Observatory · European Southern Observatory · Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Affiliation as printed
European Southern Observatory
Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
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ETH Zurich · Institute for Particle Physics and Astrophysics
Affiliation as printed
ETH Zurich, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
ETH Zurich, Institute for Particle Physics & Astrophysics
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Leiden University · National Solar Observatory · Leiden Observatory
Affiliation as printed
Leiden Observatory, Leiden University
National Solar Observatory
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Affiliation as printed
STAR Institute, Université de Liège
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Affiliation as printed
STAR Institute, Université de Liège
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European Southern Observatory · European Southern Observatory
Affiliation as printed
European Southern Observatory
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Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway
Affiliation as printed
School of Natural Sciences, Center for Astronomy, University of Galway
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Royal Observatory · University of Edinburgh
Affiliation as printed
Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Royal Observatory
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Affiliation as printed
Instituto de Estudios Astrofísicos, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad Diego Portales
Millennium Nucleus on Young Exoplanets and their Moons (YEMS)
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Royal Observatory · University of Edinburgh
Affiliation as printed
Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Royal Observatory
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Affiliation as printed
Astrophysics, University of Oxford
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Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova · National Institute for Astrophysics
Affiliation as printed
INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova
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Affiliation as printed
Physikalisches Institut, Universität zu Köln
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Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics
Affiliation as printed
Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik
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Collurania Teramo Observatory · National Institute for Astrophysics
Affiliation as printed
INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico d’Abruzzo
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Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics
Affiliation as printed
Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik
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ETH Zurich · Institute for Particle Physics and Astrophysics
Affiliation as printed
ETH Zurich, Institute for Particle Physics & Astrophysics
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Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory · National Institute for Astrophysics
Affiliation as printed
INAF – Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri
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Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics
Affiliation as printed
Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik
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Royal Observatory · UK Astronomy Technology Centre
Affiliation as printed
STFC UK ATC, Royal Observatory Edinburgh
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Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory · National Institute for Astrophysics
Affiliation as printed
INAF – Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri
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Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics
Affiliation as printed
Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik
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Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory · National Institute for Astrophysics
Affiliation as printed
INAF – Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri
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Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics
Affiliation as printed
Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik
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Royal Observatory · UK Astronomy Technology Centre
Affiliation as printed
STFC UK ATC, Royal Observatory Edinburgh
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