Point spread function of (multiple) Bracewell interferometric configuration(s) and the nulling hypothesis in planet detection

Marija Strojnik

doi:10.1117/1.JRS.8.084981

16 June 2014 Point spread function of (multiple) Bracewell interferometric configuration(s) and the nulling hypothesis in planet detection

Marija Strojnik

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Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, Vol. 8, Issue 1, 084981 (June 2014). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JRS.8.084981

Abstract

We perform a rigorous, diffraction-based two-dimensional analysis to develop an analytical expression for the point spread function (PSF) of the multiple Bracewell interferometric (in-line, even-numbered multi-aperture) configurations proposed for extrasolar planet detection. The number of apertures, total length of interferometer array, and the diameter and shape of individual apertures control the PSF. We show that there are theoretically just a few points where the PSF is zero for monochromatic radiation. These zero-irradiance points disappear due to the spectral width of the source spectrum. When including, also, the finite spatial extend of the source, it is impossible to detect an image of a planet with just a two-aperture interferometer. This analysis further demonstrates that the so-called nulling interferometric techniques decrease the amount of detected radiation originating at the bright star by the same factor as that emitted by the planet.

CC BY: © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.

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Marija Strojnik "Point spread function of (multiple) Bracewell interferometric configuration(s) and the nulling hypothesis in planet detection," Journal of Applied Remote Sensing 8(1), 084981 (16 June 2014). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JRS.8.084981

Published: 16 June 2014

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Cited by 7 scholarly publications.

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KEYWORDS

Point spread functions

Interferometry

Planets

Fourier transforms

Stars

Spatial resolution

Interferometers

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