1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910299758103321

Autore

Hicks Brian

Titolo

Nulling Interferometers for Space-based High-Contrast Visible Imaging and Measurement of Exoplanetary Environments [[electronic resource] /] / by Brian Hicks

Pubbl/distr/stampa

New York, NY : , : Springer New York : , : Imprint : Springer, , 2014

ISBN

1-4614-8211-9

Edizione

[1st ed. 2014.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (139 p.)

Collana

Springer Theses, Recognizing Outstanding Ph.D. Research, , 2190-5053

Disciplina

522.8

Soggetti

Aerospace engineering

Astronautics

Observations, Astronomical

Astronomy—Observations

Aerospace Technology and Astronautics

Astronomy, Observations and Techniques

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references.

Nota di contenuto

From the Contents: Exoplanet discovery from 51 Peg b to the present -- Relevant Physical Optics Concepts -- System Level Design Considerations -- Companion Signal to Noise Calculation -- Comparison of Single-Aperture Nullers designed for Space -- The Development of MANIC.

Sommario/riassunto

High-contrast astronomical imaging has progressed significantly in the past decade. Many of these techniques have been laboratory demonstrated to perform at contrast levels adequate for the detection of Solar System-like planets and dust around nearby stars. None of them, however, have been demonstrated in space. The state of the art in high-contrast imaging systems that have been built for space-based observation, the environment best suited for spectroscopic study of exo-Earths, is the nulling interferometer that was flown on the Planetary Imaging Concept Testbed Using a Rocket Experiment (PICTURE). The PICTURE nulling interferometer, built from multiple optical elements, relies on the incorporation of additional dispersive



components in order to deliver the broadband performance preferred for faint object imaging. These elements add to the cost, complexity, and misalignment risk of the instrument. The Monolithic Achromatic Nulling Interference Coronagraph (MANIC) Brian Hicks describes in this thesis is the first optic of its kind. He has taken the multiple optical element concept described in earlier works from theory to a flyable monolithic optic. Brian Hicks has advanced the state of the art in nulling interferometers by improving optical stability and robustness. Following application of the fabrication method described in this work, the design of MANIC also allows for broader band performance at higher contrast than that achieved with the PICTURE nulling interferometer.