# Comparing Non-Redundant Masking and Filled-Aperture Kernel Phase for Exoplanet Detection and Characterization

## TL;DR

This paper compares non-redundant masking and filled-aperture kernel phase techniques for exoplanet detection, highlighting their capabilities and limitations in high-resolution imaging near the diffraction limit.

## Contribution

It provides a comprehensive comparison of NRM and kernel phase methods using real and simulated data for ground and space telescopes.

## Key findings

- NRM extends detection to within λ/D but reduces throughput
- Kernel phase achieves comparable resolution without throughput loss at high Strehl
- Performance varies depending on science goals like broadband detection or spectral analysis

## Abstract

The limitations of adaptive optics and coronagraph performance make exoplanet detection close to {\lambda}/D extremely difficult with conventional imaging methods. The technique of non-redundant masking (NRM), which turns a filled aperture into an interferometric array, has pushed the planet detection parameter space to within {\lambda}/D. For high Strehl, the related filled-aperture kernel phase technique can achieve resolution comparable to NRM, without the associated dramatic decrease in throughput. We present non-redundant masking and kernel phase contrast curves generated for ground- and space-based instruments. We use both real and simulated observations to assess the performance of each technique, and discuss their capabilities for different exoplanet science goals such as broadband detection and spectral characterization.