Dual-aperture fiber nulling for high spatial and spectral resolution studies of exoplanets

Anusha Pai Asnodkar; Ji Wang; Colby Jurgenson; Jonathan Crass

doi:10.1117/12.3019099

28 August 2024 Dual-aperture fiber nulling for high spatial and spectral resolution studies of exoplanets

Anusha Pai Asnodkar, Ji Wang, Colby Jurgenson, Jonathan Crass

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13095, Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging IX; 130952J (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019099
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2024, Yokohama, Japan

Conference Poster

Abstract

We are developing a “dual-aperture fiber nuller” (DAFN) as a technology to bridge the gap in observation of exoplanets with orbital separations between 1-10s of AU. Such an instrument interferometrically achieves an on-axis (starlight) null while off-axis light (planet light) is transmitted to a high-resolution spectrograph. The performance of the DAFN is competitive among only a few existing technologies such as the vortex fiber nuller. Furthermore, it has the cost-effective advantage of improving angular resolution by expanding the interferometric baseline rather than increasing aperture size. We present a monochromatic demonstration of this technology’s angular resolution (< 1 λ/D) and sensitivity to starlight suppression in the lab. The DAFN technology can potentially be deployed to preexisting interferometric frameworks such as the Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer or the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. It can also benefit prospective space-based exoplanet direct imaging missions, e.g. LIFE, as well as ground-based ELT searches for terrestrial planets in the habitable zone.

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Anusha Pai Asnodkar, Ji Wang, Colby Jurgenson, and Jonathan Crass "Dual-aperture fiber nulling for high spatial and spectral resolution studies of exoplanets", Proc. SPIE 13095, Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging IX, 130952J (28 August 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019099

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