Cool Stars 14 - Submitted Abstract # 338
This version created on 05 October 2006

A High Strehl Visible Telescopic Test Bed for Planet Finding
Coronagraphs


Mary Anne Peters, University of Arizona
Laird M. Close, University of Arizona
Grover A. Swartzlander, University of Arizona
Rukiah S. Abdul-Malik, University of Arizona
Matt Rademacher, University of Arizona

We have constructed a high-speed image stabilization system attached
to an 8-inch refractive telescope at Steward Observatory.  The
high-speed tip/tilt mirror platform is controlled by a photon-counting
camera that allows us to correct the wave front distortion at a rate
exceeding 1 KHz.  The system is projected to achieve strehl ratios
over 96% at 850nm when the telescope aperture stopped down to less
than the Freid parameter (approximately 50  mm).  With this telescopic
system, we plan to characterize a number of different coronagraphs,
namely the optical vortex coronagraph (OVC).  With the OVC attached,
we should obtain images with contrast ratios up to 10,000:1 at
3lambda/D.  We welcome other coronagraphic architectures for realistic
telescopic characterizations as well.  

----------------------------------