Rotationally shearing interferometer for extra-solar system planet detection

Abstract

A rotationally shearing interferometer is proposed for the detection of a faint planet next to a bright star. The instrument was successfully demonstrated with COTS optical components to test for presence of a planet in a laboratory-simulated solar system. The poor quality of optomechanical components, in particular the crude mount controls, prevented a convincing demonstration which is what we propose here. The system may be used for detection of other, distant, invisible, unknown, and small sources next to the bright source.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Aug 28, 2018
Source ID
FA95501810454

Entities

People

  • Marija Strojnik

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • Centro de Investigaciones en Optica
  • United States Air Force

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.