TPF-C Technology Plan - Exoplanet Exploration Program - NASA

Optics and Starlight Suppression Technology
While the TPF requirements are challenging, they are either within the state-of-the-art or a factor
of a few beyond the state-of-the-art.
3.2 Subsystem and System Testbeds
The subsystem and system level testbeds are intended to validate, at higher levels of integration,
the contrast error budget for TPF-C.
3.2.1 High Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT)
Objective
The High Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT) is an adaptable testbed located at JPL, established to
validate the high-contrast coronagraphic technology fundamental to direct detection of extrasolar
planets from a spaceborne observatory. The optical layout of HCIT is shown in Figure 3-12 and
Corrected “Star” Image
Apodized Occulting Mask
Wavefront Phase
Correction
Illumination at Pupil Plane
Apodized Pupil Mask
High Contrast Coronagraphic Field
Figure 3-12. Layout of the HCIT with insets of focal and pupil planes.
28 John S. Taylor, Gary E. Sommargren, Donald W. Sweeney, and Russell M. Hudyma, “The Fabrication
and Testing of Optics for EUV Projection Lithography,” Proceedings of SPIE -- Volume 3331 Emerging
Lithographic Technologies II, Yuli Vladimirsky, Editor, June 1998, pp. 580-590
29 Kenneth A. Goldberg, Patrick Naulleau, Phillip Batson, Paul Denham, and Erik H. Anderson, Henry
Chapman, Jeffrey Bokor, “Extreme ultraviolet alignment and testing of a four-mirror ring field extreme
ultraviolet optical system,” Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B: Microelectronics and
Nanometer Structures -- November 2000 -- Volume 18, Issue 6, pp. 2911-2915
49