Notch-Filter Masks: Practical Image Masks for Planet-Finding Coronagraphs

Marc J. Kuchner, David N. Spergel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

An ideal coronagraph with a band-limited image mask can efficiently image off-axis sources while removing identically all of the light from an on-axis source. However, strict mask construction tolerances limit the utility of this technique for directly imaging extrasolar terrestrial planets. We present a variation on the basic band-limited mask design - a family of "notch-filter" masks - that mitigates this problem. These robust and trivially achromatic masks can be easily manufactured by cutting holes in opaque material.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)617-626
Number of pages10
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume594
Issue number1 I
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2003

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

  • Circumstellar matter
  • Instrumentation: Adaptive optics
  • Planetary systems

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