Automated Alignment and On-Sky Performance of the Gemini Planet Imager Coronagraph

Abstract

The Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) is a next-generation, facility instrument currently being commissioned at the Gemini South observatory. GPI combines an extreme adaptive optics system and integral field spectrograph (IFS) with an apodized-pupil Lyot coronagraph (APLC) producing an unprecedented capability for directly imaging and spectroscopically characterizing extrasolar planets. GPI's operating goal of $10^{-7}$ contrast requires very precise alignments between the various elements of the coronagraph (two pupil masks and one focal plane mask) and active control of the beam path throughout the instrument. Here, we describe the techniques used to automatically align GPI and maintain the alignment throughout the course of science observations. We discuss the particular challenges of maintaining precision alignments on a Cassegrain mounted instrument and strategies that we have developed that allow GPI to achieve high contrast even in poor seeing conditions.

arXiv comment11 pages, 7 figures. Proceedings of the SPIE, 9147-151

References in corpus (5)

• The Gemini Planet Imager: First Light
• Clouds and Chemistry in the Atmosphere of Extrasolar Planet HR8799b
• Apodized Pupil Lyot Coronagraphs for Arbitrary Telescope Apertures
• Experimental Design for the Gemini Planet Imager
• Computer vision applications for coronagraphic optical alignment and image processing

Cited by in corpus (2)

• The Gemini Planet Imager Exoplanet Survey: Giant Planet and Brown Dwarf Demographics From 10-100 AU
• Polarimetry with the Gemini Planet Imager: Methods, Performance at First Light, and the Circumstellar Ring around HR 4796A