TPF-I SWG Report - Exoplanet Exploration Program - NASA

T E C H N O L O G Y R OADMAP FOR TPF-I
Figure 6-3. The Planet Detection Testbed (PDT). The PDT is a four-input nulling interferometer that
uses 10-μm laser light and servo loops that modulate the null depth to perform experiments related to
instability noise, interferometric chopping, and planet detection. The testbed configuration shown here
was used to obtain 200,000:1 laser nulls and detect a simulated planet with a contrast ratio of
2000,000:1. The PI of the PDT is Stefan Martin, shown in the white lab coat.
Figure 6-4. Four-beam nulling with the Planet Detection Testbed was achieved at a nul depth of 10 -5
and demonstrated the ability to extract a planet signal two million times fainter than a simulated star.
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