[en] We revisit the nulling interferometer performances that are needed for direct detection and the spectroscopic analysis of exoplanets, e.g., with the DARWIN [European Space Agency-SCI 12 (2000)] or TPF-I [JPL Publ. 05-5, (2005)] missions. Two types of requirement are found, one concerning the mean value of the instrumental nulling function <nl(lambda)> and another regarding its stability. The stress is usually put on the former. It is stringent at short wavelengths but somewhat relaxed at longer wavelengths. The latter, which we call the variability noise condition, does not usually receive enough attention. It is required regardless of telescope size and stellar distance. The results from three nulling experiments performed in laboratories around the world are reported and compared with the requirements. All three exhibit 1/f noise that is incompatible with the performances required by the mission. As pointed out by Lay [Appl. Opt. 43, 6100-6123 (2004)], this stability problem is not fully solved by modulation techniques. Adequate solutions must be found that are likely to include servo systems using the stellar signal itself as a reference and internal metrology with high stability.
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Chazelas, Bruno
Brachet, Frank
Bordé, Pascal
Mennesson, Bertrand
Ollivier, Marc
Absil, Olivier ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Astroph. extragalactique et observations spatiales (AEOS)
Labèque, Alain
Valette, Claude
Léger, Alain
Language :
English
Title :
Instrumental stability requirements for exoplanet detection with a nulling interferometer: variability noise as a central issue
Publication date :
10 February 2006
Journal title :
Applied Optics
ISSN :
1559-128X
eISSN :
2155-3165
Publisher :
Optical Society of America, Washington, United States - District of Columbia
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