High contrast imaging for the enhanced resolution imager and spectrometer (ERIS)

TL;DR

This paper discusses the implementation of two coronagraphs in ERIS, a thermal infrared imager and spectrograph, to improve high contrast imaging for detecting faint circumstellar structures and exoplanets around bright stars.

Contribution

It introduces the design and application of two specific coronagraphs for diffraction suppression in ERIS, enhancing its capability for high contrast imaging.

Findings

Successful suppression of stellar diffraction halo.

Enhanced sensitivity for faint object detection.

Improved imaging resolution in thermal infrared.

Abstract

ERIS is a diffraction limited thermal infrared imager and spectrograph for the Very Large Telescope UT4. One of the science cases for ERIS is the detection and characterization of circumstellar structures and exoplanets around bright stars that are typically much fainter than the stellar diffraction halo. Enhanced sensitivity is provided through the combination of (i) suppression of the diffraction halo of the target star using coronagraphs, and (ii) removal of any residual diffraction structure through focal plane wavefront sensing and subsequent active correction. In this paper we present the two coronagraphs used for diffraction suppression and enabling high contrast imaging in ERIS.