Patterned liquid-crystal optics for broadband coronagraphy and wavefront sensing

David S. Doelman; Frans Snik; Nathaniel Z. Warriner; Michael J. Escuti

doi:10.1117/12.2273406

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1 September 2017 Patterned liquid-crystal optics for broadband coronagraphy and wavefront sensing

David S. Doelman, Frans Snik, Nathaniel Z. Warriner, Michael J. Escuti

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Proceedings Volume 10400, Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets VIII; 104000U (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2273406
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2017, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The direct-write technology for liquid-crystal patterns allows for manufacturing of extreme geometric phase patterned coronagraphs that are inherently broadband, e.g. the vector Apodizing Phase Plate (vAPP). We present on-sky data of a double-grating vAPP operating from 2-5 μm with a 360-degree dark hole and a decreased leakage term of ∼ 10⁻⁴ . We report a new liquid-crystal design used in a grating-vAPP for SCExAO that operates from 1-2.5μm. Furthermore, we present wavelength-selective vAPPs that work at specific wavelength ranges and transmit light unapodized at other wavelengths. Lastly, we present geometric phase patterns for advanced implementations of WFS (e.g. Zernike-type) that are enabled only by this liquid-crystal technology.

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David S. Doelman, Frans Snik, Nathaniel Z. Warriner, and Michael J. Escuti "Patterned liquid-crystal optics for broadband coronagraphy and wavefront sensing", Proc. SPIE 10400, Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets VIII, 104000U (1 September 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2273406

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