Cel Vector vortex coronagraphs (VVC) are among the most promising solutions to directly image faint extrasolar planets by dimming the glare of their nearby host star. Manufacturing and efficiently operating such devices is however a challenging enterprise, especially in the thermal infrared regime where warm planets radiate most of their energy. For several years, we have been developing a new class of VVC, called the Annular Groove Phase Mask (AGPM) coronagraph. Etched on a diamond substrate, this coronagraph can be operated at any wavelength, including the thermal infrared, thanks to the excellent transparency properties of diamond. We are now at a stage where the first components have been manufactured and tested. The proposed research program has three main goals. First, we will install and exploit the first generation of AGPM coronagraphs on large telescopes in world-leading observatories. By providing a means to efficiently cancel the starlight in the thermal infrared regime for the first time, our AGPMs will significantly contribute to the discoveries and characterisation of exoplanets beyond a few astronomical units. Second, we aim at developing new AGPM coronagraphs for the next generation of imaging instruments. We will particularly focus our developments on the instruments planned for the future extremely large telescopes, which will bring the direct imaging of exoplanets to a new level. Finally, we will study, develop and test a ground-breaking concept that could improve very significantly the on-sky performance of VVCs in general. This concept is based on the quantum properties of light and in particular on the fact that an optical vortex induces an orbital angular momentum on the input starlight. We propose to use an interferometric device to sort photons based on their orbital angular momentum, so as to separate the planetary light from the residual starlight (including the speckles created by atmospheric turbulence) at the output of the coronagraph. Dziedzina nauki nauki przyrodniczenauki fizyczneastronomiaplanetologiaplanetybadanie egzoplanet Program(-y) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Temat(-y) ERC-SG-PE9 - ERC Starting Grant - Universe sciences Zaproszenie do składania wniosków ERC-2013-StG Zobacz inne projekty w ramach tego zaproszenia System finansowania ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Koordynator UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE Adres Place du 20 aout 7 4000 Liege Belgia Zobacz na mapie Region Région wallonne Prov. Liège Arr. Liège Rodzaj działalności Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Kontakt administracyjny Isabelle Halleux (Dr.) Kierownik naukowy Olivier Absil (Dr.) Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Wkład UE € 1 001 279,20 Beneficjenci (2) Sortuj alfabetycznie Sortuj według wkładu UE Rozwiń wszystko Zwiń wszystko UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE Belgia Wkład UE € 1 001 279,20 Adres Place du 20 aout 7 4000 Liege Zobacz na mapie Region Région wallonne Prov. Liège Arr. Liège Rodzaj działalności Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Kontakt administracyjny Isabelle Halleux (Dr.) Kierownik naukowy Olivier Absil (Dr.) Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window UPPSALA UNIVERSITET Szwecja Wkład UE € 497 920,80 Adres Von kraemers alle 4 751 05 Uppsala Zobacz na mapie Region Östra Sverige Östra Mellansverige Uppsala län Rodzaj działalności Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Kontakt administracyjny Ylva Bäcklund (Dr.) Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window
