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D. Spergel, J. Kasdin (Princeton University)
We present recent progress on the optimal design of a shaped pupil coronagraph. This coronagraph consists of a pupil plane stop and an image plane stop. Unlike other coronagraphs, it does not require any apodization. This simplifies its manufacture and eliminates the need for stringent pointing requirements for a telescope.
Despite its simplicity, this coronagraph is capable of suppressing starlight by more than 10-10 in much of the image plane outside of 4\lambda/D. It has much higher throughput (> 20%) than many coronagraph designs. This high throughput reduces integration time requirements and wavefront control requirements.
The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: dns@astro.princeton.edu