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Limits on achievable intensity reduction with an optical occulter: comment
1Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA. webster.cash@colorado.edu
Summary
This study refutes claims of manufacturing limits for external occulter tips used in exoplanet detection. The analysis shows the previously published apodization function is distinct, invalidating manufacturing concerns for starlight suppression technology.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- External occulters are crucial for suppressing starlight to enable the direct observation of faint exoplanets.
- A recent publication questioned the feasibility of manufacturing petal-shaped occulter tips for necessary starlight intensity suppression.
Discussion:
- This work analyzes the apodization function from the questioned publication, demonstrating its mathematical difference from established external occulter apodization functions.
- The analysis invalidates the claim that petal-shaped occulter tips are too small to be manufactured for exoplanet observation.
- The paper also addresses the suggestion of transmitting screens, showing their proposed function is similar to existing technology and not a significant advancement.
Key Insights:
- The mathematical analysis confirms that the apodization function in the cited paper is distinct from those used in external occulters.
- The conclusion regarding manufacturing limitations for occulter tips is therefore unsubstantiated.
- The proposed transmitting screen technology does not represent a novel advancement in starlight suppression.
Outlook:
- Further research should focus on refining existing external occulter designs for enhanced exoplanet detection.
- Clarifying the mathematical distinctions in apodization functions is vital for accurate technological assessments.
- Continued development in optical engineering is needed to overcome starlight suppression challenges.
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