Optimal mode-sorting coronagraphy: limits of single-moded measurements for the Habitable Worlds Observatory
Abstract
Conventional coronagraph architectures struggle to reach the theoretical limit of exoplanet detection at close working angles. Spatial mode-sorting is capable of reaching the theoretical limit, but the optimal solution has so far only been calculated for a completely unresolved star whose signal lies entirely in the fundamental piston mode of the telescope. This work enables the calculation of optimized nulling modes as a function of the size of the star and planet parameters, with the goal of improving coronagraphic performance at ~lambda/D working angles given partially resolved stars and complex telescope apertures. We perform calculations using quantum information formalism and combine them with numerical optimization techniques to explore the behavior of optimal mode-sorting measurements. We present the optimal modes for measuring planets with known signals and characterize the tradeoffs inherent to coronagraphs for a finite field-of-view.
Authors 3
-
Affiliation as printed
Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)
-
Affiliation as printed
Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)
-
Affiliation as printed
Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)
Cited by 0 stored of 0
No patents citing this paper on Lens.org (checked 2026-10-11).