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Taking extrasolar planet imaging to a new level with vector vortex coronagraphy

Ziel

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.

Wissenschaftliches Gebiet

Programm/Programme

Thema/Themen

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

ERC-2013-StG
Andere Projekte für diesen Aufruf anzeigen

Finanzierungsplan

ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant

Gastgebende Einrichtung

UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE
EU-Beitrag
€ 1 001 279,20
Adresse
PLACE DU 20 AOUT 7
4000 Liege
Belgien

Auf der Karte ansehen
Region
Région wallonne Prov. Liège Arr. Liège
Aktivitätstyp
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Kontakt Verwaltung
Isabelle Halleux (Dr.)
Hauptforscher
Olivier Absil (Dr.)
Links
Gesamtkosten
Keine Daten

Begünstigte (2)

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Letzte Aktualisierung: 31 März 2016

Mein Booklet

Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/337569/de

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