One of the architectures under consideration for Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) is a visible coronagraph. To achieve TPF science goals, the coronagraph must have extreme levels of wavefront correction (less than 1 /spl Aring/ rms over controllable spatial frequencies) and stability to get the necessary suppression of diffracted starlight (10/sup -10/ contrast). The High Contrast Imaging Testbed is the TPF platform for laboratory validation of key coronagraph technologies, as well as demonstration of a flight-traceable approach to coronagraph implementation. Various wavefront sensing approaches are under investigation on the testbed, with wavefront control provided by a precision high actuator density deformable mirror. Diffracted light control is achieved through a combination of an occulting or apodizing mask and stop; many concepts exist for these components and are explored. Contrast measurements on the testbed establishes the technical feasibility of TPF requirements, while model and error budget validation are demonstrate implementation viability. This paper describes the current testbed design and preliminary experimental results.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    High contrast imaging testbed for the Terrestrial Planet Finder coronagraph


    Contributors:
    Lowman, A.E. (author) / Trauger, J.T. (author) / Gordon, B. (author) / Green, J.J. (author) / Moody, D. (author) / Niessner, A.F. (author) / Fang Shi, (author)


    Publication date :

    2004-01-01


    Size :

    531061 byte





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    High contrast imaging testbed for the Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph

    Sli, Fang / Moody, Dwight / Niessner, Albert F. et al. | NTRS | 2004



    Terrestrial Planet Finder coronagraph

    Cohen, Eri / Lowman, Andrew / White, Mary et al. | NTRS | 2003


    Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph

    Cohen, Eri / Lowman, Andrew / Levine, Marie et al. | NTRS | 2003


    Modeling approach the Terrestrial Planet Finder coronagraph mission

    Levine, M. / Basinger, S. A. / Shaklan, S. et al. | NTRS | 2003