Laboratory Demonstration of Multi-Star Wavefront Control
Abstract
Enabling direct imaging of binary stars can substantially increase the scientific yield of any coronagraphic instrument for a future space mission. Specifically, imaging binary stars increases the number of stellar targets available, increases the exoplanetary yield, and enable binary-system specific science. The majority of nearby FGK stars are located in multi-star systems, which includes some of the highest-quality nearby stars such as both Alpha Centauri stellar components. When compared to direct imaging of single-stars, binary system exhibits additional leakage from the off-axis companion star that may be brighter than the target exoplanet. Multi-Star Wavefront Control (MSWC) is a wavefront-control technique that simultaneously removes the stellar leakage from both stellar components simultaneously thus enabling direct imaging of circumstellar planets in binary star systems. This wavefront control technique uses the existing wavefront control system on planned coronagraph instruments and can be enabled with minimal modifications for all future space coronagraph missions. Here, as part of the technology demonstration effort for MSWC we report on the latest experimental results obtained with this technique. In particular, we report on the current performance of in-air tests obtained at the NASA Ames Coronagraph Experiment (ACE) showing compatibility of MSWC with an existing coronagraphic testbed. Additionally, we describe a planned in-vacuum experiment to be performed at JPL's High Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT) using a configuration relevant for NASA's future space mission concepts.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #235
- Pub Date:
- January 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020AAS...23532006S