The small-ELF project: toward an ultra-large coronagraphic optical receiver

Jeff Kuhn; Jean-Fabien Capsal; Ian Cunnyngham; Maud Langlois; Kevin Lewis; Nicolas Lodieu; Gil Moretto; Rafael Rebolo; Joe Ritter; Ryan Swindle; Ye Zhou; Stuart Jefferies; Kritsadi Thetprapi; David Audigier; Justin Fletcher

doi:10.1117/12.2629645

26 August 2022 The small-ELF project: toward an ultra-large coronagraphic optical receiver

Jeff Kuhn, Jean-Fabien Capsal, Ian Cunnyngham, Maud Langlois, Kevin Lewis, Nicolas Lodieu, Gil Moretto, Rafael Rebolo, Joe Ritter, Ryan Swindle, Ye Zhou, Stuart Jefferies, Kritsadi Thetprapi, David Audigier, Justin Fletcher

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12182, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IX; 121820G (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2629645
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2022, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Abstract

The small ExoLife Finder (sELF) telescope is a 3.4m diameter fixed pupil tracking Fizeau interferometer. Its design relies on several new technologies the ELF-PLANETS consortium has championed that will enable large narrow-field optical coronagraphic direct imaging. These distinguish it from other segmented aperture telescopes by its light weight, low cost, and its capability to create a coronagraphic point spread function with the telescope pupil, ahead of the secondary optics. This diffractive control emphasizes high dynamic range imaging in the presence of a bright central star in a narrow field-of-view. Its optomechanical design uses elements of tensegrity combined with thin (2mm thick by 0.5m diameter) off-axis parabola segments to decrease both the optical payload and mechanical structural mass. The sELF optomechanical design has been completed and contracts for construction in the Canary Islands will be tendered during the 1st quarter of 2023

Conference Presentation

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Jeff Kuhn, Jean-Fabien Capsal, Ian Cunnyngham, Maud Langlois, Kevin Lewis, Nicolas Lodieu, Gil Moretto, Rafael Rebolo, Joe Ritter, Ryan Swindle, Ye Zhou, Stuart Jefferies, Kritsadi Thetprapi, David Audigier, and Justin Fletcher "The small-ELF project: toward an ultra-large coronagraphic optical receiver", Proc. SPIE 12182, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IX, 121820G (26 August 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2629645

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