High Contrast Imaging at the Photon Noise Limit with WFS-based PSF Calibration

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that wavefront sensing telemetry can calibrate speckle noise in high contrast imaging to the photon noise limit, enhancing exoplanet detection robustness and efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a method for using wavefront sensing data to self-calibrate speckle noise, approaching the photon noise limit in high contrast imaging systems.

Findings

Residual speckle noise calibrated to exceed readout and photon noise levels

Laboratory and on-sky tests validate the calibration approach

Implications for improved design of space and ground-based high-contrast imaging systems

Abstract

Speckle Noise is the dominant source of error in high contrast imaging with adaptive optics system. We discuss the potential for wavefront sensing telemetry to calibrate speckle noise with sufficient precision and accuracy so that it can be removed in post-processing of science images acquired by high contrast imaging instruments. In such a self-calibrating system, exoplanet detection would be limited by photon noise and be significantly more robust and efficient than in current systems. We show initial laboratory and on-sky tests, demonstrating over short timescale that residual speckle noise is indeed calibrated to an accuracy exceeding readout and photon noise in the high contrast region. We discuss immplications for the design of space and ground high-contrast imaging systems.