Around the world: status and prospects with the infrared vortex coronagraph

Since its first light at the VLT in 2012, the Annular Groove Phase Mask (AGPM) has been used to implement infrared vortex coronagraphy also at the Keck and the LBT. We review the status of these endeavors, and highlight the main scientific results obtained so far. We explore the performance of the AGPM and identify the main limitations to its sensitivity to faint, off-axis companions. Based on the lessons learned, we are now preparing the implementation of AGPM-based vortex coronagraphs into a new generation of high-contrast imaging instruments. We explain how the AGPM will be used to hunt for planets in the habitable zone of alpha Centauri A and B with a refurbished version of the VISIR mid-infrared camera at the VLT, and how this project paves the way toward mid-infrared coronagraphy on the ELT with the METIS instrument. We also discuss future LM-band applications of the AGPM on VLT/ERIS, Keck/NIRC2, and ELT/METIS, as well as a possible upgrade of VLT/SPHERE with a K-band AGPM.