Directly imaging Earth-like exoplanets around Sun-like stars with the future Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) will require coronagraphic focal plane masks able to suppress starlight to the 1 × 10−10 contrast levels. Furthermore, to collect enough photons for broadband imaging and detection and to minimize the number of parallel channels for spectroscopic characterization, this level of contrast must be achieved across a 20% bandwidth. Scalar vortex coronagraphs show promise as a polarization-independent alternative to polarizationsensitive vector vortex coronagraphs, but still face chromatic limitations. New scalar vortex mask designs incorporate radial phase dimples to improve the broadband performance. We present initial manufacturing results of prototype masks of these designs including phase metrology and microscope images, in preparation for broadband chromatic characterization and starlight suppression measurements, to be taken on a high contrast imaging testbed. We also present a preliminary narrowband (2%) dark hole result achieving 1.8 × 10−8 average contrast from 3.5-10λ0/D on the High Contrast Spectroscopy Testbed at Caltech. This work aims to advance the technological maturity of scalar vortex coronagraphs as a viable option for consideration for HWO.
Filter-based spectral detectors convince with their simple concept, an extremely compact and robust design and the possibility to adapt the addressed spectral range and the resolution to the individual application requirements. Unfortunately, these filter-based sensors usually suffer from low detection efficiency. In this contribution we discuss and compare different methods that allow to substantially increase the detection efficiency of filter-based spectral sensors. An initial concept is based on a wavelength-dependent redistribution of the incident light before it reaches the individual filter elements of the array. This approach allows a substantial increase in detection efficiency, but requires additional dichroic elements in the beam path. An alternative approach uses a folded beam path architecture and completely waives additional dichroic elements. This approach is not only suitable for filter-based spectral sensors, but can also be transferred to increase the efficiency of hyperspectral imaging systems.
Echelle-inspired cross-grating spectrometers try to combine the high performance of classical Echelle spectrometers and the small footprint of compact line-grating spectrometers. Therefore, a cross-grating is used which is a superposition of two perpendicularly oriented line gratings in a single element. Highly resolved, but overlapping, diffractions orders are created by the main grating, which are separated by the cross-disperser. This powerful approach is connected to different challenges concerning the optical design, the fabrication of the cross-grating and implementation of the device. These challenges are addressed by a compact and rigid double-pass design, which utilizes the same refractive elements for collimation of the incoming beam and focusing of the diffracted light on the detector. This contribution gives an overview on the design and focusses on the implementation of the spectrometer. This includes on one hand the mounting of the cross-grating and the refractive elements in a rigid objective group and, on the other hand, the adjustment of the objective to the entrance fiber and the 2D detector. Furthermore, the implemented and calibrated instrument allows to conduct several validating experimental tests in order to proof the working principle. The spectrometer addresses a spectral range from 400 nm to 1100 nm and reaches a resolving power of 300 with an entrance pinhole diameter of 105 μm. An even higher resolving power of more than 1000 is reached with a reduced pinhole diameter of approximately 5 μm.
This contribution addresses an alternative lithographic technique for the tailored fabrication of rotationally symmetric meso- and microscale optical components. A variable ring-shaped light distribution is created by an axicon-pair based zoom-concept and can be used for the manufacturing of single optical components and array elements as well. First, design considerations of the basic axicon system and the achievable system characteristics are discussed. In particular, minimum and maximum ring diameter depending on axicon angle variations and displacement distance of employed axicons as well as potential deviations from the telecentricity condition are considered. Additionally, further aspects concerning the system implementation are presented, e.g. the achievable resolution which is dependent on the entrance pinhole. Finally, the performance of the system is presented by demonstrating the fabrication of exemplary meso- and microscale structures.
A method to drastically enhance detection efficiency of a linear variable filter (LVF) sensor across an extended and continuous wavelength range is presented. The efficiency is increased by a wavelength preselection concept, where the incoming light is divided into partial spectra to reduce otherwise unavoidable reflection losses of filter-based spectrometers. The simple but effective setup uses selected and successively arranged dichroic beamsplitters, which ensures an optimized compromise between efficiency enhancement and minimum increasing complexity. When connected to a two-dimensional camera and combined with a tilted LVF, this compact optical system allows the continuous recording of the full wavelength range between 450 and 850 nm with a resolution of ∼19 nm at 508.6 nm. An efficiency enhancement factor of up to 5.7 is achieved in comparison to a conventional LVF setup. The working principle was verified by measuring the reflection spectra of different natural and artificial green leaves. The proposed approach for increasing the efficiency can be miniaturized and applied to a broad range of other filter-based sensors.
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