Analytic Modeling of Starshades

TL;DR

This paper presents an analytic approach to modeling starshades, enabling better design and tolerance analysis for high-contrast imaging of exoplanets using external occulters.

Contribution

It introduces a mathematical framework for analyzing apodization functions in starshades, aiding in the design of practical, efficient external occulters for exoplanet imaging.

Findings

Developed an analytic model for starshade apodization functions.

Provided a quantitative method for starshade tolerance analysis.

Enhanced understanding of starshade design parameters.

Abstract

External occulters, otherwise known as starshades, have been proposed as a solution to one of the highest priority yet technically vexing problems facing astrophysics - the direct imaging and characterization of terrestrial planets around other stars. New apodization functions, developed over the past few years, now enable starshades of just a few tens of meters diameter to occult central stars so efficiently that the orbiting exoplanets can be revealed and other high contrast imaging challenges addressed. In this paper an analytic approach to analysis of these apodization functions is presented. It is used to develop a tolerance analysis suitable for use in designing practical starshades. The results provide a mathematical basis for understanding starshades and a quantitative approach to setting tolerances.