Speaker
Description
The detection of exoplanets, particularly Earth-like ones, requires achieving unparalleled contrast levels to separate faint planetary signals from the overwhelming glare of host stars. Coronagraphy remains a cornerstone of high-contrast imaging, with its performance closely tied to advancements in apodization techniques.
In this study, we focus on Interferometric Apodization by Homothety (IAH), an innovative method for modulating the amplitude and phase of light to achieve superior starlight suppression. We investigate its integration into the Apodized Pupil Lyot Coronagraph (APLC), showcasing theoretical modeling and optimization that highlight significant gains in contrast and reductions in Inner Working Angle (IWA).
Conducted within the framework of the NASA-led Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) project, this work explores experimental validation strategies and discusses the incorporation of IAH into advanced coronagraphic designs. By addressing key challenges in high-dynamic range imaging, IAH emerges as a transformative technique for future space missions, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries in the search for habitable worlds.
| Stream | Science |
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