Experimental Demonstration of a Quantum-Optimal Coronagraph Using Spatial Mode Sorters

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a quantum-optimal coronagraph that uses spatial mode sorters to detect exoplanets at sub-diffraction distances, surpassing traditional limits in direct imaging.

Contribution

It introduces an experimental coronagraph design that achieves quantum limits of exoplanet detection using programmable spatial mode sorters, enabling sub-diffraction imaging.

Findings

Successfully localizes artificial exoplanet at sub-diffraction distances.

Achieves 1000:1 star-planet contrast in experiments.

Operates at the quantum limit of detection.

Abstract

Deep sub-diffraction exoplanet discovery currently lies beyond the reach of state-of-the-art direct imaging coronagraphs, which typically have an inner working angle larger than the diffraction scale. We present an experimental demonstration of a direct imaging coronagraph design capable of achieving the quantum limits of exoplanet detection and localization below the Rayleigh diffraction limit. Our benchtop implementation performs a forward and inverse pass through a free-space programmable spatial mode sorter configured to isolate photons in a point spread function (PSF)-adapted mode basis. During the forward pass, the fundamental mode is rejected, effectively eliminating light from an on-axis point-like star. On the inverse pass, the remaining modes are coherently recombined to form an image of a faint companion. Our experimental system is shown localizing an artificial exoplanet at sub-diffraction distances from its host star under a 1000:1 star-planet contrast.