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Shaklan, Stuart

Publications and source records attributed to Shaklan, Stuart.

At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2017

EXEP: Mountaintop Starshade Concept Study

Starshades are external occulters which would be used in conjunction with a space telescope. The starshade has a particular apodizing profile that effects strong suppression of starlight within the starshade’s shadow. Since starshades that would be used in space are large, typically 30 m diameter, performance is difficult to test on the ground at realistic scales. This paper examines the practical limits for testing starshades at smaller scales in the atmosphere and goes on to describe concepts for testing starshades using ground based telescopes and using starshades for astronomical observations.

Capps, R.↗
NASA NTRS2016

LUVOIR Tech Notes

We present nine "tech notes" prepared by the Large UV/Optical/Infrared (LUVOIR) Science and Technology Definition Team (STDT), Study Office, and Technology Working Group. These tech notes are intended to highlight technical challenges that represent boundaries in the trade space for developing the LUVOIR architecture that may impact the science objectives being developed by the STDT. These tech notes are intended to be high-level discussions of the technical challenges and will serve as starting points for more in-depth analysis as the LUVOIR study progresses.

large aperture↗
NASA NTRS2016

The Maturing of High Contrast Imaging and Starlight Suppression Techniques for Future NASA Exoplanet Characterization Missions

Over 3000 exoplanets and hundreds of exoplanetary systems have been detected to date and we are now rapidly moving toward an era where the focus is shifting from detection to direct imaging and spectroscopic characterization of these new worlds and their atmospheres. NASA is currently studying several exoplanet characterization mission concepts for the 2020 Decadal Survey ranging from probe class to flagships. Detailed and comprehensive exoplanet characterization, particularly of exo-Earths, leading to assessment of habitability, or indeed detection of life, will require significant advances beyond the current state-of-the-art in high contrast imaging and starlight suppression techniques which utilize specially shaped precision optical elements to block the light from the parent star while controlling scattering and diffraction thus revealing and enabling spectroscopic study of the orbiting exoplanets in reflected light. In this paper we describe the two primary high contrast starlight suppression techniques currently being pursued by NASA: 1) coronagraphs (including several design variations) and 2) free-flying starshades. These techniques are rapidly moving from the technology development phase to the design and engineering phase and we discuss the prospects and projected performance for future exoplanet characterization missions utilizing these techniques coupled with large aperture telescopes in space.

high contrast↗
NASA NTRS2016

Advances in Starshade Technology Readiness for an Exoplanet Characterizing Science Mission in the 2020's

The discovery of thousands of exoplanets is generating increasing interest in the direct imaging and characterization of these planets. Starshade, and eternal occulter, could fly in formation between a telescope and distant star, blocking out the light from the star, and enabling us to focus on the light of any orbiting planets. Recent technology developments in coordination with system design, has added much needed detail to define the technology requirements for a science mission that could launch in the 2020's. This paper address the mechanical architecture, the successful efforts to date, the current state of design for the mechanical system, and upcoming technology efforts.

occulter↗
NASA NTRS2016

Precision Optical Edges for a Starshade External Occulter

The use of a starshade is one technique to perform high contrast imaging with space-based telescopes. The primary function of a starshade is to suppress light from a target star in order to image its orbiting planets. In order to provide the proper apodization function the edges of the starshade must follow a precise in-plane profile. However of equal importance is the issue of light from our own sun scattering off of the edges and entering the telescope. A method to alleviate this problem is to make the edges extremely sharp (< 1 µmterminal radius) such that the area available for scattering is minimized. The combination of these two requirements, along with the need to integrate the edges into a 30-40 m dia. deployable structure, present a number of significant engineering challenges. Substrate etching techniques are used to obtain both the intended profile as well as the edge sharpness. Current efforts implement an isotropic etching process on thin metal substrates. This paper discusses the progress towards producing a sharp optical edge at the coupon level. Samples have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy as well as a custom testbed to assess their scattered-light performance.

starshade↗
NASA NTRS2015

Studies of the Effects of Control Bandwidth and Dark-Hole Size on the HCIT Contrast Performance

We have carried out both theoretical and experimental studies of the sensitivity of dark hole contrast to the control bandwidth and dark-hole dimensions in high-contrast broadband stellar coronagraphy. We have evaluated the performance of DM actuator solutions in the presence of occulting mask defects using one to five 2% -wide bands spanning a 10% bandpass. We have also investigated the dependence of the HCIT contrast performance on the size of dark -hole area including large dark holes formed at the Nyquist limit of the DM.

exoplanets↗
NASA NTRS2015

High-Contrast Coronagraph Performance in the Presence of DM Actuator Defects

Deformable Mirrors (DMs) are critical elements in high contrast coronagraphs, requiring precision and stability measured in picometers to enable detection of Earth-like exoplanets. Occasionally DM actuators or their associated cables or electronics fail, requiring a wavefront control algorithm to compensate for actuators that may be displaced from their neighbors by hundreds of nanometers. We have carried out experiments on our High-Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT) to study the impact of failed actuators in partial fulfillment of the Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph optical model validation milestone. We show that the wavefront control algorithm adapts to several broken actuators and maintains dark-hole contrast in broadband light.

adaptive optics↗