Phase masks in astronomy: From the Mach-Zehnder interferometer to Coronographs

TL;DR

This paper reviews the use of phase masks in astronomy, focusing on their roles in coronography for exoplanet detection and wavefront analysis for adaptive optics, bridging two key optical systems.

Contribution

It synthesizes literature on phase masks and connects their applications in Mach-Zehnder interferometers and coronographs, highlighting their interdisciplinary relevance.

Findings

Phase masks are crucial in astronomical coronography and wavefront analysis.

The paper bridges the gap between interferometric and coronographic applications.

It provides a comprehensive overview of phase mask technologies in astronomy.

Abstract

Phase masks have numerous applications in astronomical optics, in particular related to two themes: coronography for detection and analysis of extrasolar planets or circumstellar disks, and wavefront analysis for extremely precise adaptive optics systems or cophasing of segmented mirrors. I review some of the literature concerning phase masks and attempt to bridge the gap between two instrumental systems in which they are often found: the Mach-Zehnder interferometer and the coronograph.