May 2009: Aktiwave delivers band-limited coronagraphs

Aktiwave has fabricated band-limited (BL) coronagraphs. These coronagraphs are band-limited amplitude mask function with a limited power spectrum. They are promsing for planet-finding telescopes and will be used on a test-bench to test the ability of next-generation telescopes to observe faint planets next to bright stars.The examples below show pictures of two of the fabricated coronagraphs and the corresponding measured radial transmission.

 

BL5 coronagraphBL5 transmission
BL10 coronagraphBL10 transmission
Picture and radial transmission of a BL5 coronagraph
Picture and radial transmission of a BL10 coronagraph