EXTRASOLAR PLANET DETECTION

This paper discusses the concept of extrasolar planet detection using a large-aperture infrared imaging telescope. Coronagraphic stellar apo dization techniques are less efficient at infrared wavelengths compare d to the visible, as a result of practical limitations on aperture dim ensions, thus necessitating additional starlight suppression to make p lanet detection feasible in this spectral domain. We have been investi gating the use of rotational shearing interferometry to provide up to three orders of magnitude of starlight suppression over broad spectral bandwidths. We present a theoretical analysis of the system performan ce requirements needed to make this a viable instrument for planet det ection, including specifications on the interferometer design and tele scope aperture characteristics. The concept of using rotational sheari ng interferometry as a wavefront error detector, thus providing a sign al that can be used to adaptively correct the wavefront, will be discu ssed. We also present the status of laboratory studies of on-axis sour ce suppression using a recently constructed rotational shearing interf erometer that currently operates in the visible.