SPHERE ZIMPOL: overview and performance simulation

C. Thalmann, F. Snik, C.U. Keller

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

Abstract

The ESO planet finder instrument SPHERE will search for the polarimetric signature of the reflected light from extrasolar planets, using a VLT telescope, an extreme AO system (SAXO), a stellar coronagraph, and an imaging polarimeter (ZIMPOL). We present the design concept of the ZIMPOL instrument, a single-beam polarimeter that achieves very high polarimetric accuracy using fast polarization modulation and demodulating CCD detectors. Furthermore, we describe comprehensive performance simulations made with the CAOS problem-solving environment. We conclude that direct detection of Jupiter-sized planets in close orbit around the brightest nearby stars is achievable with imaging polarimetry, signal-switching calibration, and angular differential imaging.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Title of host publicationGround-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy II
EditorsI.S. McLean, M.M. Casali
Place of PublicationBellingham, Washington
PublisherSPIE
Pages70143F
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
Number7014

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