Results on the development of mid-infrared integrated optics for the Darwin Mission

Abstract

To detect earth-like planets orbiting around solar-type stars in the mid-infrared spectral range, a typical rejection ratio of 10⁶ of the stellar flux must be achieved. Space missions like Darwin/TPF aim at achieving such contrasts using nulling interferometry between 4 μm and 20 μm. The instrumental constraints on beam combination, spatial filtering, intensity and phase mismatches must then be accurately considered. This paper presents the first characterization results of mid-infrared waveguides for integrated optics (IO) developed in the frame of an ESA contract. Taking into account the scientific achievements already obtained with IO components in the near infrared range, results demonstrate that these technologies can also be used for future nulling devices as an alternative to bulk optics instrumentation in the mid-infrared spectral range. Good waveguiding behaviour has been obtained on dielectric waveguides based on Chalcogenide or Zinc Selenide glasses and Hollow Metallic Waveguides. The single-mode behavior, spatial filtering and polarization control capabilities of the hollow metallic channel waveguides have been also demonstrated. This paper focuses on the methods used to validate the waveguide behaviour and the first laboratory results obtained with the different technologies used in the mid-infrared.