Scexao as a precursor to an ELT exoplanet direct imaging instrument

N. Jovanovic, O. Guyon, F. Martinache, C. Clergeon, G. Singh, S. Vievard, T. Kudo, V. Garrel, B. Norris, P. Tuthill, P. Stewart, E. Huby, G. Perrin, S. Lacour

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

    10 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme AO (SCExAO) instrument consists of a high performance Phase Induced Amplitude Apodisation (PIAA) coronagraph combined with an extreme Adaptive Optics (AO) system operating in the near-infrared (H band). The extreme AO system driven by the 2000 element deformable mirror will allow for Strehl ratios > 90% to be achieved in the H-band when it goes closed loop. This makes the SCExAO instrument a powerful platform for high contrast imaging down to angular separations of the order of 1λ=D and an ideal testbed for exploring coronagraphic techniques for ELTs. In this paper we report on the recent progress in regards to the development of the instrument, which includes the addition of a visible bench that makes use of the light at shorter wavelengths not currently utilized by SCExAO and closing the loop on the tip/tilt wavefront sensor. We will also discuss several exciting guest instruments which will expand the capabilities of SCExAO over the next few years; namely CHARIS which is a integral field spectrograph as well as VAMPIRES, a visible aperture masking experiment based on polarimetric analysis of circumstellar disks. In addition we will elucidate the unique role extreme AO systems will play in enabling high precision radial velocity spectroscopy for the detection of small companions.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication3rd AO4ELT Conference - Adaptive Optics for Extremely Large Telescopes
    PublisherINAF - Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri Largo Enrico Fermi
    Pages1-7
    Number of pages7
    ISBN (Print)9788890887604
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2013
    Event3rd Conference on Adaptive Optics for Extremely Large Telescopes, AO4ELT 2013 - Florence, Italy
    Duration: 26 May 201331 May 2013

    Other

    Other3rd Conference on Adaptive Optics for Extremely Large Telescopes, AO4ELT 2013
    Country/TerritoryItaly
    CityFlorence
    Period26/05/1331/05/13

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