Design of mirrors and apodization functions in phase-induced amplitude apodization (PIAA) systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces a mathematical framework for designing mirror shapes and apodization functions in PIAA systems, enabling customizable output profiles and improved throughput for exoplanet imaging.

Contribution

It provides equations for selecting apodizers or mirror shapes for any desired output, including a novel 4-mirror design with higher throughput than traditional systems.

Findings

Derived equations for apodizer and mirror shape design

Designed a 4-mirror PIAA system with higher throughput

Discussed diffraction limitations and mitigation strategies

Abstract

Phase-induced amplitude apodization (PIAA) coronagraphs are a promising technology for imaging exoplanets, with the potential to detect Earth-like planets around Sun-like stars. A PIAA system nominally consists of a pair of mirrors which reshape incident light without attenuation, coupled with one or more apodizers to mitigate diffraction effects or provide additional beam-shaping to produce a desired output profile. We present a set of equations that allow apodizers to be chosen for any given pair of mirrors, or conversely mirror shapes chosen for given apodizers, to produce an arbitrary amplitude profile at the output of the system. We show how classical PIAA systems may be designed by this method, and present the design of a novel 4-mirror system with higher throughput than a standard 2-mirror system. We also discuss the limitations due to diffraction and the design steps that may be taken to mitigate them.