The space coronagraph optical bench (SCoOB): 2. wavefront sensing and control in a vacuum-compatible coronagraph testbed for spaceborne high-contrast imaging technology

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development of the SCoOB testbed for space-based high-contrast imaging, focusing on wavefront sensing and control techniques to achieve extremely high contrast for exoplanet detection.

Contribution

It introduces a new vacuum-compatible testbed combining advanced coronagraphy, deformable mirrors, and wavefront control algorithms for spaceborne exoplanet imaging.

Findings

Successful implementation of wavefront sensing algorithms in air

Optical system performance meets design specifications

Demonstrated capability to create high-contrast dark regions

Abstract

The 2020 Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics endorsed space-based high contrast imaging for the detection and characterization of habitable exoplanets as a key priority for the upcoming decade. To advance the maturity of starlight suppression techniques in a space-like environment, we are developing the Space Coronagraph Optical Bench (SCoOB) at the University of Arizona, a new thermal vacuum (TVAC) testbed based on the Coronagraphic Debris Exoplanet Exploring Payload (CDEEP), a SmallSat mission concept for high contrast imaging of circumstellar disks in scattered light. When completed, the testbed will combine a vector vortex coronagraph (VVC) with a Kilo-C microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) deformable mirror from Boston Micromachines Corp (BMC) and a self-coherent camera (SCC) with a goal of raw contrast surpassing $10^{-8}$ at visible wavelengths. In this proceedings, we report on our wavefront sensing and control efforts on this testbed in air, including the as-built performance of the optical system and the implementation of algorithms for focal-plane wavefront control and digging dark holes (regions of high contrast in the focal plane) using electric field conjugation (EFC) and related algorithms.