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A&A 374, 1161-1168 (2001)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20010619
The achromatic phase knife coronagraph
L. Abe1, F. Vakili1 and A. Boccaletti21 Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Département Fresnel, CNRS UMR 6528, 06460 Saint Vallier de Thiey, France
2 Collège de France, 11 place Marcelin Berthelot, 75005 Paris, France
(Received 20 November 2000 / Accepted 11 April 2001)
Abstract
We present the concept of a nulling coronagraph which
theoretically attains the brightness ratio of 108 suitable to
directly detect exo-Earths in the vicinity of their parent stars.
The concept is derived from the classical Foucault's optics test
and Zernike's self-destructive phase contrast principle. We propose
an achromatic set-up which should dramatically improve its
wide band efficiency. The whole system is simulated
against a numerical model which validates a formal analytical approach. The
coronagraph is then compared to other concepts and its advantages
and shortcomings are outlined, suggesting future laboratory
developments and tests on the sky.
Key words: techniques: interferometric -- stars: binaries: close -- stars: planetary systems
Offprint request: L. Abe, Lyu.Abe@obs-azur.fr
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