Optimal one-dimensional apodizations and shaped pupils for planet finding coronagraphy

The realization that direct imaging of extrasolar planets could be technologically feasible within the next decade or so has inspired a great deal of recent research into high-contrast imaging. We have contributed several design ideas, all of which can be described as shaped pupil coronagraphs. We offer a complete and unified survey of one-dimensional shaped pupil designs, some of which have been published in our previous papers. We also introduce a promising new design, which we call bar-code masks. With these masks we can achieve the required contrast with a fairly large discovery zone and throughput, but most importantly they are perhaps the easiest to manufacture and might therefore stand up best to refined analyses.