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Nulling Interferometers for Space-based High-Contrast Visible Imaging and Measurement of Exoplanetary Environments

  • Book
  • © 2014

Overview

Authors:
  1. Brian Hicks

    1. Center for Atmospheric Research, UMass Lowell, Lowell, USA

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  • Successfully addresses technically challenging topics on a highly visible field
  • Author has been recognized with two Boston University Awards and invited to an exclusive workshop on exoplanet technology held at Caltech
  • Provides pioneering contributions to the imaging and characterization of exoplanets, one of the most fundamentals quests of modern astrophysics
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Springer Theses (Springer Theses)

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiv
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Introduction

    • Brian Hicks
    Pages 1-14

  3. Relevant Physical Optics Concepts

    • Brian Hicks
    Pages 15-26

  4. System Level Design Considerations

    • Brian Hicks
    Pages 27-59

  5. Companion Signal to Noise Calculation

    • Brian Hicks
    Pages 61-75

  6. Comparison of Single-Aperture Nullers Designed for Space

    • Brian Hicks
    Pages 77-90

  7. The Development of MANIC

    • Brian Hicks
    Pages 91-120

  8. Summary

    • Brian Hicks
    Pages 121-125

  9. Back Matter

    Pages 127-127
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Keywords

About this book

High-contrast astronomical imaging has progressed significantly in the past decade. Many of these techniques have been laboratory demonstrated to perform at contrast levels adequate for the detection of Solar System-like planets and dust around nearby stars. None of them, however, have been demonstrated in space. The state of the art in high-contrast imaging systems that have been built for space-based observation, the environment best suited for spectroscopic study of exo-Earths, is the nulling interferometer that was flown on the Planetary Imaging Concept Testbed Using a Rocket Experiment (PICTURE). The PICTURE nulling interferometer, built from multiple optical elements, relies on the incorporation of additional dispersive components in order to deliver the broadband performance preferred for faint object imaging. These elements add to the cost, complexity, and misalignment risk of the instrument.

The Monolithic Achromatic Nulling Interference Coronagraph (MANIC) Brian Hicks describe in this thesis the first optic of its kind. He has taken the multiple optical element concept described in earlier works from theory to a flyable monolithic optic. Brian has advanced the state of the art in nulling interferometers by improving optical stability and robustness. Following application of the fabrication method described in this work, the design of MANIC also allows for broader band performance at higher contrast than that achieved with the PICTURE nulling interferometer.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Center for Atmospheric Research, UMass Lowell, Lowell, USA

    Brian Hicks

About the author

Dr. Brian Hicks is a scientist and engineer specializing in the development of instrumentation for space-based research in astronomy and space physics. A graduate of Macalester College (B.A. 2002, Physics and Astronomy) and Boston University (M.A. 2006, Astronomy; Ph.D. 2011 Electrical Engineering), Dr. Hick is currently a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Massachusetts Center for Atmospheric Research. His active scientific interests include direct imaging and spectroscopy of exoplanetary systems, interstellar and intergalactic dust, as well as the study of gas and plasma dynamics around Earth and the various other bodies throughout the Solar System that could support life including Mars, Ganymede, Europa, and Titan.

In addition to participating in a number of design studies for satellites-, balloon- and rocket-borne imaging and spectroscopic instruments, Dr. Hicks has played major roles in the design and fabrication of high-contrast, high-resolution imagining and measurement instrumentation for the study of exoplanets and their morphological environments. A highlight amongst these instruments was the NASA-funded Planetary Imaging Concept Testbed Using a Sounding Rocket (PICTURE) project, which he helped to launch through the support of his graduate advisor, Dr. Supriya Chakrabati, in October 2011.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Nulling Interferometers for Space-based High-Contrast Visible Imaging and Measurement of Exoplanetary Environments

  • Authors: Brian Hicks

  • Series Title: Springer Theses

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8211-6

  • Publisher: Springer New York, NY

  • eBook Packages: Engineering, Engineering (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4614-8210-9Published: 17 October 2013

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-1-4939-5456-8Published: 23 August 2016

  • eBook ISBN: 978-1-4614-8211-6Published: 17 October 2013

  • Series ISSN: 2190-5053

  • Series E-ISSN: 2190-5061

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XIV, 127

  • Number of Illustrations: 42 b/w illustrations, 13 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Aerospace Technology and Astronautics, Astronomy, Observations and Techniques

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