Abstract
We perform a rigorous, diffraction-based two-dimensional analysis to develop an ana- lytical expression for the point spread function (PSF) of the multiple Bracewell interferometric (in-line, even-numbered multi-aperture) configurations proposed for extrasolar planet detection. The number of apertures, total length of interferometer array, and the diameter and shape of individual apertures control the PSF. We show that there are theoretically just a few points where the PSF is zero for monochromatic radiation. These zero-irradiance points disappear due to the spectral width of the source spectrum. When including, also, the finite spatial extend of the source, it is impossible to detect an image of a planet with just a two-aperture interfer- ometer. This analysis further demonstrates that the so-called nulling interferometric techniques decrease the amount of detected radiation originating at the bright star by the same factor as that emitted by the planet. © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI. (DOI: 10.1117/1.JRS.8.084981)
Highlights
We perform a rigorous, diffraction-based two-dimensional analysis to develop an analytical expression for the point spread function (PSF) of the multiple Bracewell interferometric configurations proposed for extrasolar planet detection
We develop the analytical expression for the monochromatic incidence distribution in the observation plane arising from an IR point source at infinity, collected by a set of inline apertures with finite diameter, the monochromatic point spread function (PSF).[3]
PSF or the impulse response function is the response of the optical system to the point input
Summary
35 years ago, a number of prominent scientists participated at a conference to discuss the detection of planets outside our solar system to set out the long-range plans for future planetary research This scientific gathering resulted in a note in Nature, proposing the detection of nonsolar planets by free-spinning infrared (IR) two-aperture interferometer.[1] A new term, nulling, was coined to indicate that by a clever choice of interferometer parameters, its components, and configuration, the radiation emitted by the star could be cancelled (made to go away) at specific extended regions in the detection plane, in which the existence of a faint planet could be confirmed.[2]. Both the star and the planet form an interferometric pattern each over the finite spatial region in the far plane
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