Using Notch-Filter Masks for High Contrast Imaging of Extrasolar Planets

Abstract

We present the first laboratory experiments using a notch-filter mask, a coronagraphic image mask that can produce infinite dynamic range in an ideal Lyot coronagraph according to scalar diffraction theory. We fabricated the first notch-filter mask prototype with .25 $\micron$ precision using an e-beam lithography machine. Our initial optical tests show that the prototype masks generate contrast levels of 10${}^{-5}$ at 3$\lambda /D$ and 10${}^{-6}$ at $\sim 8\lambda /D$, with a throughput of 27%. We speculate on the ``as-is'' performance of such a mask in the Hubble Space Telescope.

12 pages, 4 figures, Accepted to ApJ

References in corpus (3)

• Beyond the T Dwarfs: Theoretical Spectra, Colors, and Detectability of the Coolest Brown Dwarfs
• Spiderweb Masks for High-Contrast Imaging
• Notch Filter Masks: Practical Image Masks for Planet-Finding Coronagraphs

Cited by in corpus (7)

• Eighth-Order Image Masks for Terrestrial Planet Finding
• Comparative Lyot Coronagraphy with Extreme AO Systems
• Laboratory Testing of a Lyot Coronagraph Equipped with an Eighth-Order Notch Filter Image Mask
• Band-Limited Coronagraphs using a Halftone-dot process: design guidelines, manufacturing, and laboratory results
• High Contrast Imaging with Gaussian Aperture Pupil Masks (GAPMs)
• Fourth-order Coronagraph for High-Contrast Imaging of Exoplanets with Off-axis Segmented Telescopes
• Band-Limited Coronagraphs using a halftone-dot process: II. Advances and laboratory results for arbitrary telescope apertures