The ExoLife Finder (ELF) Telescope: new adaptive optics and hybrid dynamic live-optical surfaces strategies
Abstract
The exponential growth in exoplanets studies and related science such as detecting life and even civilizations on Earth-like planets requires high angular resolution and high-contrast observations. Such appealing sciences cases are a powerful reason for developing a dedicated high contrast telescope concept - The ExoLife Finder (ELF) Telescope. Here we describe the ELF overall optical concept, its preliminary Adaptive Optics concept and a novel and revolutionary technology to produce mirrors making use of force-sensor-actuator elements that are 3D-printed onto very thin slumped glass-sandwich elements of fire-polished glass - a very precise aspherical optical surface dedicated to high contrast measurements.
- Publication:
-
Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VII
- Pub Date:
- July 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1117/12.2312599
- Bibcode:
- 2018SPIE10700E..4CM