Patterned liquid-crystal optics for broadband coronagraphy and wavefront sensing

Abstract

The direct-write technology for liquid-crystal patterns allows for manufacturing of extreme geometric phase patterned coronagraphs that are inherently broadband, e.g. the vector Apodizing Phase Plate (vAPP). We present on-sky data of a double-grating vAPP operating from 2-5 $\mu m$ with a 360-degree dark hole and a decreased leakage term of $\sim 10^{-4}$. We report a new liquid-crystal design used in a grating-vAPP for SCExAO that operates from 1-2.5$\mu m$. Furthermore, we present wavelength-selective vAPPs that work at specific wavelength ranges and transmit light unapodized at other wavelengths. Lastly, we present geometric phase patterns for advanced implementations of WFS (e.g. Zernike-type) that are enabled only by this liquid-crystal technology.

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• The vector-apodizing phase plate coronagraph: design, current performance, and future development
• Minimizing the polarization leakage of geometric-phase coronagraphs with multiple grating pattern combinations
• Phase-Apodized-Pupil Lyot Coronagraphs for Arbitrary Telescope Pupils
• Measuring the variability of directly imaged exoplanets using vector Apodizing Phase Plates combined with ground-based differential spectrophotometry
• High-contrast observations of brown dwarf companion HR 2562 B with the vector Apodizing Phase Plate coronagraph
• Multiplexed Holographic Aperture Masking with liquid-crystal geometric phase masks
• The Fast Atmospheric Self-Coherent Camera Technique: Laboratory Results and Future Directions
• Calibration of the instrumental polarization effects of SCExAO-CHARIS' spectropolarimetric mode
• Chasing the storm: Investigating the application of high-contrast imaging techniques in producing precise exoplanet light curves
• L-band Integral Field Spectroscopy of the HR 8799 Planetary System
• Review of high-contrast imaging systems for current and future ground-based and space-based telescopes III. Technology opportunities and pathways