Multiplexed Holographic Aperture Masking with liquid-crystal geometric phase masks

TL;DR

This paper introduces Holographic Aperture Masking (HAM), a novel high-contrast imaging technique using liquid-crystal geometric phase masks to multiplex subapertures, enhancing uv-coverage and throughput over traditional Sparse Aperture Masking.

Contribution

The paper presents the concept and initial laboratory results of HAM, demonstrating its ability to multiplex subapertures with holographic techniques for improved imaging performance.

Findings

Successful lab demonstration of HAM with liquid-crystal phase masks.

HAM provides increased uv-coverage and throughput compared to SAM.

Potential for improved calibration and flexible PSF configurations.

Abstract

Sparse Aperture Masking (SAM) allows for high-contrast imaging at small inner working angles, however the performance is limited by the small throughput and the number of baselines. We present the concept and first lab results of Holographic Aperture Masking (HAM) with extreme liquid-crystal geometric phase patterns. We multiplex subapertures using holographic techniques to combine the same subaperture in multiple non-redundant PSFs in combination with a non-interferometric reference spot. This way arbitrary subaperture combinations and PSF configurations can be realized, giving HAM more uv-coverage, better throughput and improved calibration as compared to SAM, at the cost of detector space.