Performance results of the TFI coronagraphic occulting mask prototypes

Mathilde Beaulieu; René Doyon; David Lafrenière

doi:10.1117/12.787991

12 July 2008 Performance results of the TFI coronagraphic occulting mask prototypes

Mathilde Beaulieu, René Doyon, David Lafrenière

Proceedings Volume 7010, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2008: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter; 70103J (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.787991
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2008, Marseille, France

Abstract

The JWST Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) Tunable Filter Imager (TFI) will feature a coronagraph for high contrast imaging applications. TFI will provide unique narrow-band imaging and coronagraphic capabilities impacting the detection of "First Light", i.e. stellar systems formed just after the Big Bang, and the detection and characterization of exoplanets. The TFI coronagraph is made of a set of four occulting spots and four Lyot stops. The TFI focal-plane masks under consideration are apodized (Gaussian profile) or hard masks. The masks are operating in reflection and implemented as small cones directly engraved on the pick-off mirror located at the telescope focus. This paper presents laboratory performance of two prototype masks. The hard mask results are in good agreement with the expected performance of a standard Lyot coronagraph. On the other hand, the halftone mask shows significant departure from theoretical expectation; these results could be due to diffraction effects within the halftone mask.

Citation Download Citation

Mathilde Beaulieu, René Doyon, and David Lafrenière "Performance results of the TFI coronagraphic occulting mask prototypes", Proc. SPIE 7010, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2008: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter, 70103J (12 July 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.787991

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